to promote positive relationships between Rochester police officers and youth in the city of Rochester through community based educational and recreational opportunities. These unique approaches will ultimately help youth become more productive, contributing members of society. P.A.L is a youth crime prevention program that utilized educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust
and understanding between police officers and youth. It is based on the conviction that youth people – if they are reached early enough – can develop strong positive attitudes towards police officers in their journey through life toward the goal of maturity and good citizenship. program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency and expands public awareness about the role of police officer in the local community and reinforces responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents. Studies have shown that if a young person respects a police officer on the ball field, gym or classroom, the youth will likely come to respect the laws that police officers enforce. Such respect is beneficial to youth, the police officer, the neighborhood and the business community. The Rochester P.A.L. branch of the National P.A.L. organization is growing. We are trying to locate more funding to expand our programs. Our biggest priority is the youth in our community. We are working to develop more innovative and exciting ways to get our youth involved in healthy, rewarding and fun activities where they can be model good citizens from our local police department.
