The Police Athletic League (PAL) is a recreation oriented organization that utilizes sports and recreational activities in order to tighten the bond between police officers and young members of the community. The goal of PAL is to engage our youth in hopes of decreasing the lure of gangs, drugs, and other delinquent behavior.

The program enables more than 20,000 children to engage in a variety of sporting events and activities, and PAL is proud to host the largest youth football program in the State of New York. In addition to team sports programs, PAL programs include cooking classes, karate classes, Swim for Survival, fishing trips, and the presentation “Crash Course in Crash Avoidance”.

The PAL Soccer Program in Wyandanch provided a weekly clinic for more than 80 youths who wanted to learn soccer skills, while Patchogue’s Latino Soccer continued strong with 175 participants in the program. The Patchogue program continues as a year round program with indoor soccer and basketball supported by the Patchogue Medford School District. The PAL soccer program has been expanded to Huntington Station, Amityville and Copiague.

PAL also continues to support the Wyandanch Summer Youth Camp Program which provides young campers mentoring by First Precinct SROs during a 5 week program. Campers are taught lessons in safety, bullying, internet safety, self-esteem building, and drug awareness. They attend numerous trips to museums, farms and parks, exposing them to new experiences.

Cooking classes were hosted in several communities throughout the police district, including several at Brentwood’s South and East Middle Schools where officers and school security combined efforts to engage with students during the difficult time the district has suffered at the hands of gang violence. Community Relations Bureau personnel assisted by COPE and SROs brought in volunteer chefs to teach valuable cooking skills in a fun and friendly environment. The officers assisted the children as they prepared recipes designed by their guest chef. PAL sponsors many of these events by providing funding for food items, other supplies and the portable cooking equipment necessary to bring the program on the road. Classes are continuing in Bellport, Brentwood, Central Islip, Gordon Heights, Centereach, Medford, Huntington Station, Wyandanch and Rocky Point, and many more are scheduled.

PAL Officers began a Read and Rec Program at the Wyandanch Family Life Center. This monthly program provides engagement activities between SCPD officers and youth attending after school care, ages K-5th grade. Officers read stories to the children, engages in crafts or fun activities such as scooter races, giant parachute and painting pumpkins. The Read and Rec Program will be extended to other communities.

Suffolk PAL Website

Office: 631.852.6107

suffolkpal@yahoo.com

Suffolk County Police PAL Officers: