PAL

The Palm Beach County
Police Athletic League (PAL)

As Law Enforcement Officers we have an outstanding opportunity to assist the youth of our county in ways that were not available a few short years ago. The Palm Beach County Police Athletic League in cooperation with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Community Involvement Team have instituted a Youth Boxing Program.

The Program is a proactive approach to juvenile crime. It is well established that youth in our community are faced with broken homes, gang violence, drug infested streets, negative peer pressure, and multiple other hazards. The P.A.L. Boxing Program provides an inroad to reach our Palm Beach County Youth in a very positive way. We use boxing as a tool to get kids off the street and to take pride in themselves and their community.

The Boxing Program offers a non threatening environment where youth will be guided to stay out of trouble and learn the values of honesty, integrity, good sportsmanship, academic success, discipline, and the other positive things in life.

Nationwide, it is a proven fact that Youth Boxing Programs have lowered the juvenile crime rate. The Program continues to grow and is new. Our Boxing Facility opened February 3, 1997. There are no hard facts at this point in time about the crime rate being lowered as a result of our program. Judging by our successes so far, and knowing the success of other programs in the nation, it can be forecast that our program will have a direct impact on lowering the juvenile crime rate. As time progresses and the program grows, it can be anticipated our successes will dramatically increase.

We currently have forty-seven youths enrolled in our new boxing programs as of July 24, 1997. The age range for participants is eight to eighteen. The Palm Beach County P.A.L. Boxing team is training to compete in several tournaments. Many members of the boxing team have goals to become "Boxing Champions" and are training hard to make their dreams a reality.

Our Youth Boxing Center is located at the KOPS Recreational Center 6246 S. Congress Avenue, Lantana, FL (Atlantis Plaza) . Hours are Tuesday through Friday 4 PM - 7 PM. Our boxing training facility is certified with the Florida Gold Coast Boxing Association and USA Boxing in Colorado Springs Colorado.

We are seeking volunteers to assist us with academic tutoring, physicians, secretarial assistance, and boxing trainers. The Palm Beach County P.A.L. is a not-for-profit organization defined in I.R.S. code 501 (c) (3). All donations are tax deductible. If anyone wishes to donate a monetary gift to the Palm Beach County Police Athletic League or volunteer their time to this very worthy cause please contact Deputy Steve Lobdell at (561) 688-4180.

WHAT IS P.A.L?

THE PALM BEACH COUNTY
P.A.L. YOUTH BOXING PROGRAM

The Palm Beach County Police Athletic League (PAL) is now a full time position under Sheriff Bieluch's administration. The main focus is to reach children who are at risk (Gangs, Drugs, Broken Homes) and to prevent them from being just another statistic in the Criminal Justice System.

PAL uses sports programs, mentor programs, and family help programs to keep the children and the families involved in a pro-active situation where law enforcement officers and volunteers work together displaying a positive image through good role models.

PAL is a front line assault program that targets the areas where there are problems, along with children and families that need help but it never seems to go their way. PAL can do anything at anytime, if the funding is available. Dollars are the largest hurdle we have to overcome. We believe that it is much better to have children and families involved in a program than it is to have the children involved in crimes and the parents not being a positive influence. Remember every kid needs a PAL.

For more information on the Palm Beach County Police Athletic League and how you can become a part of the fix, or become a donor; call or write:

Palm Beach County Police Athletic League, Inc.
Deputy Steve Lobdell
3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406-3001
(561)-688-4180

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