Police Athletic / Activities League
The Garner Police Athletic / Activities League ( PAAL )— which is a youth crime prevention and engagement program that uses educational , athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth — celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2020 . The program is based on the conviction that young people — if they are reached early enough — can develop strong positive attitudes toward police officers in their journey to maturity and good citizenship .
Garner PAAL brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency and expands public awareness about the role of a police officer . The program also reinforces the responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents .
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PROGRAM The elementary programs are coordinated by Garner Police officers and a PAAL volunteer . The participants are recommended by the guidance counselors and teachers at the schools . The PAAL participants meet with the officer once a month . At the start of the programs , the officers ask students for their input about what they would like to do . At each school , the officer coordinates with the program manager to administer activities to the participants . Some of the activities are :
• K9 demonstrations
• how to be a friend
• getting along with authority figures
• standing up to bullying
• making good choices
• team building
• arts and crafts Athletics at the elementary schools consist of the officers spending time with the kids playing kickball , basketball , football and soccer .
MIDDLE SCHOOLS PROGRAM The middle schools programs are coordinated by the school resource officer assigned to each school . They meet weekly . Students are recommended by the guidance counselors and teachers at the school . The middle school programs have between 25 and 35 participants . Some of the activities are :
• K9 demonstrations
• team building
• community service projects
• arts and crafts Athletics at the middle schools consist of kickball , bowling , go karting , dodgeball , ropes course and baseball .
PRIDE BOXING PROGRAM PAAL partners with Pride Boxing and its boxing program . It assists with a limited number of students from the middle and high school programs who participate . The initiative consists of a conditioning program that will lead up to participation in the boxing program . The goal of the partnership with Pride Boxing is for participants to succeed in their academic and extracurricular pursuits , improve their health by increasing their knowledge of fitness and nutrition , and provide participants with workreadiness training based on the core principles of discipline , self-worth , health and accountability .
AVERY STREET RECREATION CENTER Garner PAAL partners with Garner Parks , Recreation , and Cultural Resources at the Avery Street Recreation Center ( 125 Avery St .). This partnership enables PAAL and PRCR to share a facility and resources , which allows for more efficient and effective youth programming . In addition , PAAL , Garner PD and PRCR have agreed to partner together for the youth basketball league . The Town of Garner has had the basketball league for years , but the new partnership has been created to improve outreach and help build relationships between police officers , other Town employees and community youth .
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