The Columbia Police Department has
welcomed a new PAL – the Columbia Police Athletic/Activities League.
PAL,
headed by Executive Director Sgt. Vandell
McCary Sr. is the latest effort by the department to reach out to the
citizens of our community. The national organization focuses on building
a partnership among youth, police and citizens with recreational,
athletic and educational programs. These will encourage and develop good
citizenship and improve the quality of life for our youth. The Columbia
organization is the first chartered member of the National PAL in
Richland County.
Mission
and Objectives
Columbia PAL mentoring programs
make up the Learning for Life career education programs for youth ages 5
to 18. The purpose of the program is to provide young people experience
and knowledge to combat problems that confront them daily. This is done
through five areas of emphasis:
·Career
opportunities – Develop potential contacts that may broaden job options
and boost self-confidence and experience success at school/work
·Life
skills – Build physical and mental fitness and experience positive
social interaction
·Service
learning – Develop skills to help others
·Character
education – Learn to make ethical choices and fulfill one’s
responsibility to society
·Leadership
experience – Instill leadership skills to become a productive and
responsible adult
PAL is based on promoting trust
and understanding between youth and police. Studies show that if a
youngster is taught to respect police, he or she will likely come to
respect the laws that police enforce. PAL aims to bring youth under the
direct supervision and constructive influences of responsible law
enforcement officers and concerned citizens throughout the community.
History of PAL
A New
York City police lieutenant established the National PAL in the early
1900s, according to the national PAL Web site. Lt. Ed W. Flynn was tired
of a neighborhood gang causing trouble and decided to find out the cause
of the behavior. The gang’s leader complained about youngsters not
having a place to play or participate in sports. That’s when Flynn
decided to help the children form a team. He, the other officers and
neighborhood merchants pooled their money to buy uniforms and equipment.
Flynn also found a playground where the team could play as officers
cheered them on.
It wasn’t
long before more teams formed. PAL continued to grow, dedicating its
first indoor youth center in 1937. It became incorporated under New York
state laws four years later.
PAL today
More than
500 PAL chapters have been formed in law enforcement agencies in
hundreds of cities throughout the United States and the Virgin Islands.
These chapters serve more than 3 million youth, ages 5 to 18.
The
chapters are varied in the way they operate. Some have sports programs
only while others have a few individual sports. Crafts and educational
programs are included in other programs.
PAL’s
purpose remains the same: Reach out to neighborhood youths who don’t
have recreational affiliations, and who are at risk for becoming bored,
apathetic and lonely. PAL wants to connect with the youths before they
get into trouble.
