What is PAL?
OUR HISTORY
The Orange County Police Athletic League (PAL) was established in 1991 as an entity of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. PAL is a not-for-profit organization 501(c)(3), that is dedicated to provide athletic, recreational and educational programs for at-risk youngsters by using law enforcement officers as coaches, mentors, officials and role models to influence children to avoid crime, drugs, gangs , violence and truancy. Through grants, donations and fund raising, PAL offers quality programs at little or no cost to families who can not otherwise afford them.
These programs are made available to communities identified with high crime concerns, low income households and diverse populations. Partnering with Orange County Public Schools, PAL offers before and after school programs in middle schools. The Orange County PAL staff of deputy sheriffs organizes and coordinates these programs.
In 1914, New York City Police Commissioner Arthur Woods began a social movement that would eventually be known as the Police Athletic League. He was concerned for the poor children who lived in congested tenements and organized a city-wide search for vacant lots to be converted into playgrounds. He also set aside city blocks where traffic was prohibited. A goal of the program was to reduce tensions between police officers and youth.
In 1929, Police Commissioner Grover A. Whalen appointed a committee on crime prevention to address growing concerns about juvenile delinquency. The Police Department began to focus on youth and took a leadership role in providing recreation. In 1931, Mayor James J Walker signed a bill to make the Crime Prevention Bureau, later known as the Juvenile Justice Aid Bureau, a permanent part of the Police Department.
The 1932 Annual report of the Police Department stated, “During a Depression, it is the children who stand in the greatest danger of permanent injury.” In response, the Crime Prevention Bureau formed the Junior Police Athletic League.
During the 1970s , PAL participated in nation-wide youth programs to educate young people about the dangers of drug abuse. Arts programs continued to flourish. In the 1970S, the annual Superstar dinner fundraising events honored outstanding individuals. Sports heroes Willie Mays and Walt Frazier were among the first PAL Superstars.
ALL NOVEMBER LONG!
enjoy a meal at a participating restaurant and round up your bill to support PAL!