About Us
The Elk Grove PAL is a joint effort sponsored by the Elk Grove Police Department in collaboration with the Cosumnes Services District, the Elk Grove Unified School District and the greater community. Police activities leagues have been around this country for over 70 years, and it is the organization that families look to for safe, fun and uplifting youth activities.
Our purpose is to bridge the gap between cops, kids and the community through recreational sports and instructive activities; and by establishing mentoring relationships. Our endeavor is to produce good citizens, build character and prevent crime.
These goals are accomplished through establishing youth programs and activities to bring police officers, children and parents together in an environment which fosters understanding and communication. These activities currently include martial arts, boxing, basketball, computer lab tutoring, ATV courses, 1-on-1 mentoring and supervised after-school recreation.
We strongly believe in the power of this program to change the lives of the youth of Elk Grove and desire for people of all ages to get involved. Students can become a member and take advantage of all the programs we offer. Adults can volunteer their time and experience by becoming coaches, mentors, and much more. We also need financial supporters who will donate funds to keep our programs running and fully staffed.
The National PAL
The National Police Athletics/Activities Leagues, Inc. exist to prevent juvenile crime and violence by providing civic, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities and resources to PAL chapters.
PAL is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. It is based on the conviction that young people - if they are reached early enough - can develop strong positive attitudes towards police officers in their journey through life toward the goal of maturity and good citizenship. The PAL program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency and expands public awareness about the role of a police officer and the reinforcement of the responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents.
Studies have shown that if a young person respects a police officer on the ball field, gym or classroom, the youth will likely come to respect the laws that police officers enforce. Such respect is beneficial to the youth, the police officer, the neighborhood and the business community.
As the success of the PAL concept spread, PAL programs developed in other communities. A little over 60 years ago, six chapters on the eastern seaboard joined together to form an association to share ideas and resources and compete in several sports. Today, there are over 400 PAL member chapters in law enforcement agencies servicing over 700 cities and 1,700 facilities throughout the United States, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving more than two million youth.
