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- SPD’s summer youth league kicks off
SPD’s summer youth league kicks off

News

SPD’s summer youth league kicks off

Jennifer DeRuwe, Spokane Police Department, No Phone Number Available

Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 4:23 p.m.

The Spokane Police Activities League (PAL) is back this summer, and is expanding to more local neighborhoods! Due to increasing demand, the PAL program is expanding to include three separate programs in the East Central, West Central, and Hillyard city neighborhoods in 2015.

PAL hosts events during July and August with the goal of increasing the level of respect, understanding and goodwill between Spokane area youth, community leaders, and members of the Spokane Police Department. PAL began in 2013 and expanded as participation doubled in 2014.

2014 participant surveys showed that youth were highly enthusiastic about the program.

88% agreed, “This program helped me learn to trust police.”
93% agreed, “I trust the officers who patrol my neighborhood.”
93% agreed, “If I had a problem at school or in my neighborhood, I would feel comfortable asking a Police Officer for help.”

We focus on five core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, leadership and respect. When coaches see the kids display a core value, they get a raffle ticket to win prizes at the end of the day. We've also partnered with United Way to teach the kids a literacy activity during the last 30 minutes of the session. Spokane Parks and Recreation has opened their pools to PAL kids to swim and cool off after playing basketball. Many of our YPI graduates have returned to be youth mentors to PAL's younger kids.

The big celebration on August 20 at Liberty Park will recognize players from all 3 PAL programs with a BBQ, t-shirt and certificate. All the raffle tickets earned during the previous 6 weeks will be entered into a grand prize drawing for several items.

SPD hopes to help increase police presence in the parks this summer by engaging with youth and encouraging healthy positive choices. We also want to provide strong role models for our youth and build bridges and break down stereotypes between youth and law enforcement.

Spokane PAL is a partnership program developed by Spokane community leaders and the Spokane Police Department. SPD partners with KFCA Ministries, Youth for Christ, Operation Healthy Family, Southeast Lions Club, Spokane Lieutenants & Captains Association, and Spokane Police Guild.