The Police Activities League (P.A.L.) began with a bang- a rock through a window in the 1930’s. A young gang in New York City was harassing storekeepers and continuing to disrupt the neighborhood. Lt. Ed Flynn of the New York City Police Department liked kids. He wondered if there wasn’t a better way to reach at risk youth before they became involved in destructive and often harmful behavior.
After rallying the neighborhood storekeepers and the local police officers support, Lt. Flynn was able to raise funds to buy the kids baseball uniforms and equipment. He located a playground for games and invited the youth gang to play. The team was an instant success. Before the end of the year, there were nearly a dozen teams in the city, all coached by police officer volunteers. This was the birth of P.A.L
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LOMPOC VALLEY P.A.L.
The Lompoc Police Department hosts the Lompoc Valley Police Activities League (P.A.L) and has been the lead member agency since its inception in 1998. The program seeks to foster a bond of mutual trust and understanding between police officers and young people by enabling them to interact in a positive, non-confrontational setting. Educational, cultural and recreational activities are offered to the youth with emphasis placed on reaching those “at risk.” P.A.L.’s long-term mission is to divert youth away from gangs and criminal activity by bringing them alternative activities under the care and supervision of trained police officers, recreation staff, parents, and community volunteers. P.A.L. offers activities such as basketball, boxing, softball, soccer, lifeguard training, computer labs, the climbing wall and much more.
