History of PAL

 In 1914, Police Commissioner Arthur Woods initiated the Police Athletic League (PAL) as a social movement to address the well-being of underprivileged children in congested tenements. He led a city-wide effort to identify vacant lots for playgrounds and designated specific city blocks where traffic was prohibited. The program aimed to alleviate tensions between police officers and youth. Commissioner Woods' inspections of play streets were met with appreciation from mothers and cheers from children, highlighting the positive impact of PAL on the community. 

 Simultaneously, Captain John Sweeney from the Lower East Side 15th police precinct established the Junior Police, a structured program for young boys. Members of this group wore uniforms, engaged in marching drills, and carried green badges. The program aimed to simulate the organizational structure of the Police Department, providing a serious and disciplined outlet for the participation of young boys in law enforcement-related activities. 

 In 1929, responding to increasing concerns about juvenile delinquency, Police Commissioner Grover A. Whalen established a committee on crime prevention. The Police Department shifted its focus towards youth and took a proactive role in providing recreational opportunities. In 1931, Mayor James J Walker signed a bill to institutionalize the Crime Prevention Bureau, later known as the Juvenile Justice Aid Bureau, as a permanent part of the Police Department.

The 1932 Annual report of the Police Department highlighted the vulnerability of children during the Depression, stating, "During a Depression, it is the children who stand in the greatest danger of permanent injury." In response, the Crime Prevention Bureau introduced the Junior Police Athletic League to address these concerns and engage young individuals in positive activities.

 In 1936, the Police Athletic League underwent reorganization under Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine. Commissioner Valentine took the initiative to enroll 5,000 truants in PAL, emphasizing its role in constructive character building. President Franklin D. Roosevelt supported the program, sending a letter to Deputy Commissioner Byrnes MacDonald expressing hope that PAL Week would draw attention to the Crime Prevention Bureau's positive impact on youth development. 

 The late 1930s marked a period of significant growth for the Police Athletic League (PAL). By 1937, PAL had expanded to over 70,000 members and operated 69 indoor centers. Many of these centers were dedicated to the memories of police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty. On September 6, 1939, PAL celebrated PAL Day at the World's Fair in New York City, establishing a Playstreet in the heart of the Fair as part of its efforts to provide recreational opportunities and engage with the community. 

 During wartime in the late 1930s and early 1940s, children associated with the Police Athletic League (PAL) actively contributed to the war efforts. They organized scrap salvage drives, participated in Red Cross activities, engaged in knitting, and took part in Junior Commando training. PAL played a crucial role by offering supervised care for the children of parents involved in war work and civilian defense duties, demonstrating the organization's commitment to supporting both the community and the broader national efforts during times of conflict. 

 In 1945, Mayor William O'Dwyer expressed "100% support" for the Police Athletic League (PAL) program. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, PAL took a proactive approach to address the needs of troubled youngsters by hiring social workers to assist with their treatment. In 1949, PAL established the Placement Division, aiming to help young individuals find jobs and provide vocational guidance.

During the 1950s, PAL athletes achieved notable successes, with participants winning the Golden Gloves and representing the organization in the Helsinki Summer Olympics in 1952 and the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. This period highlights PAL's expanding scope, not only in providing recreational opportunities but also in addressing broader social issues and fostering athletic achievements among its members.

 During the 1990s, the Police Athletic League (PAL) Board of Directors assumed a leadership role in spearheading a campaign to construct new, state-of-the-art community centers. To fund these initiatives, a $40 million Capital Campaign was launched with the goal of creating three new centers and renovating existing ones. The efforts resulted in the opening of facilities in the South Bronx in 1996, Harlem in 1999, and South Jamaica, Queens in 2004. This marked a significant period of expansion and modernization for PAL, enhancing its ability to serve the community and provide improved facilities for its programs and activities. 

The Santa Barbara Police Activities League (SBPAL) was established in 1999, and is a South Coast program which provides outreach to local youth. The program is designed to build relationships between youth, the police department, and the community. Last year Santa Barbara PAL was responsible for serving over 1,600 youth in Santa Barbara.

SBPAL is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an incorporated 501(C)3 Non-Profit Organization. The program relies heavily on city, state and national grants, as well as donations from our community donors and partners of SBPAL.

SBPAL is in an operational agreement with the cities of Santa Barbara and Goleta, the Parks and Recreations Department and the Santa Barbara School District to provide after-school sports and art programs on nine different elementary and junior high school campuses. Financial support from the community is crucial. Your donation will assist us in implementing new and alternative programming for at risk and underprivileged youth