Garner Police Department Annual Report 2018 Published July 2019 | Page 18

and positive influence of a law enforcement
agency and expands public awareness about the
role of a police officer and the reinforcement of the
responsible values and attitudes instilled in young
people by their parents. Kathy Taylor serves as the
PAAL program manager.
The following is a summary of our programs as of
the end of 2018:
The Garner Police Department’s annual National Night
Out is a fun-filled opportunity for residents to interact
with officers.
outside of their roles with the Police Department.
National Night Out
The Garner Police Department participated in
“National Night Out,” an annual event sponsored
by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW)
and supported by law enforcement agencies
nationwide. In 2018 we partnered with Target,
The Village at Aversboro, other public safety
agencies, and Garner residents at Lake Benson
Park to celebrate the 34th Annual NNO. The
event is an opportunity for citizens and businesses
to join the Police Department in heightening
public awareness of crime and crime prevention,
strengthening police-community partnerships and
relationships, and sending a message to criminals
that the community does not tolerate crime.
Garner PAAL
The Garner Police Athletic/Activities League (PAAL)
is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes
educational, athletic and recreational activities to
create trust and understanding between police
officers and youth. It is based on the conviction
that young 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.
Garner PAAL brings youth under the supervision
18
» » PAAL hosted bi-weekly school-based
programs at Vandora Springs Elementary,
Timber Drive Elementary, Creech Road
Elementary, East Garner Elementary,
Aversboro
Elementary,
Rand
Rd.
Elementary, and Bryan Rd. Elementary
Schools.  PAAL provides support and
collaborates with school staff to provide
life learning lessons combined with fun
activities.
» » PAAL hosted weekly after school programs
at North Garner Middle and East Garner
Magnet Middle Schools. These co-ed
programs provide academic support,
intramurals, field trips, and other activities
such as campus beautification.
» » PAAL partnered with various organizations
to serve over 500 students at Garner
United Methodist Church’s annual Back to
School Bash.
Garner PAAL hosted a PAAL golf tournament
in the fall of 2018. Hosted by a local restaurant,
MoonRunners, the tournament raised more than
$8,000 and brought the community together
to support additional programming.  More
information on the PAAL program can be found
on the PAAL website at garnerpaal.org.
Schools and Community Organized to Read
(SCOR)
SCOR is a locally developed reading buddy
program sponsored by the Garner Educational
Foundation to support Garner’s elementary
schools.  SCOR serves primarily second graders
who need additional assistance to improve their
reading.  Six GPD volunteer reading buddies met
with school-identified students for thirty minutes
each week to provide mentoring and to read
from a collection of books provided by the media
specialist of that school.
GARNER POLICE DEPARTMENT 2018 ANNUAL REPORT