Hollister Police PAL

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO BUDGET RESTRAINTS, HOLLISTER P.A.L. PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON WHEN THESE PROGRAMS WILL AGAIN BECOME AVAILABLE.

Hollister P.A.L.

"Changing Lives, one kid at a time."

What is P.A.L.?

The Hollister Police Activities League (P.A.L.) is a non-profit organization that provides recreational and educational activities for young people in Hollister. Hollister P.A.L. gets young people involved in positive activities with positive role models. Our programs teach young people athletic and social skills and address social issues such as emotional insecurity, academic problems and lack of support that affect young people today. Coaches, assistants and volunteers are police officers and community members who are committed to the success of young people in Hollister.

More About P.A.L.

PAL is a recreation-oriented juvenile crime prevention program that relies heavily upon athletics and recreational activities to create and cement the bond between the police officers and the kid on the street.

PAL is based on the strong belief that children, if reached early enough, can develop a strong, positive attitudes towards police officers in their journey through life towards the goal of adulthood and good citizenship. Studies have show that if a youngster respects a police officer on the ball field or in the gym, he or she will very likely come to respect the laws that the police officer enforces.

History of PAL

PAL started with a bang - a rock through a window. A gang of New York toughs, harassing storekeepers and generally making life miserable in their neighborhood, threw the rock that eventually pioneered this new approach to the problem of juvenile delinquency. 

Lt. Ed W. Flynn, of the Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau, was on duty that fateful day. To him it was another day of kids getting in trouble. But it was more than that. Lt. Flynn liked kids. He wondered at the uselessness of always punishing them. He wondered why they couldn't be reached before they were in trouble. 

That day, he made it a point to search out the gang's ringleader. They talked, Lt. Flynn looking for the reasons behind the kids' antisocial behavior. The ringleader poured out the frustrations of the ghetto, telling the cop, "Man, we ain't got no place to play or nothin' to do. The cops are always hasslin' us. We can't even play baseball."

 Lt. Ed Flynn thought about that. A staunch baseball fan himself, he began to wonder, "Why should the police chase kids for doing what was normal. Why not help those kids form a team? Give them a place to play under police supervision. Be a friend instead of an enemy."

He talked it over with some of his fellow officers and some of the neighborhood shopkeepers. They liked the idea. And each of them chipped in a dollar for equipment and uniforms. Lt. Flynn found a playground where the group could play under the eye of friendly policemen. 

The team was an instant success. Before the year was out, there were close to a dozen such teams in the city. In 1937, PAL dedicated its first indoor youth center and in 1941, it became incorporated under the laws of the state of New York.

That was the birth of PAL. Beginning with athletics, it has since broadened its scope to include arts and crafts, dance, music, drama, social services, vocational guidance, remedial reading, gardening, field trips, and virtually any good healthy activity that kids are fond of. 

There now exists a National PAL organization called the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues, Inc. (National PAL).

How do I join P.A.L.?

Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18 are eligible to participate in Hollister P.A.L. Activities. Individuals may join an activity any time during the year. However, programs offered change periodically and space is limited in some programs. A parent or guardian must complete an authorization form, provide a birth certificate and sign a liability waiver to enroll a young person in a Hollister  P.A.L. activity.

What does it cost?

All Hollister P.A.L. activities are paid for by donations from private and public sources. There is no cost to participants.

What activities are offered ?

Hollister P.A.L. offers golf, softball, flag football, soccer, basketball, field trips, karate, horseback riding, off-road vehicles, cooking, and social activities. Hollister P.A.L brings youth together from all over Hollister and places them in an environment that is fun and safe, where they can experience success and gain self-esteem.

Off-Road Motorcycle Program

The Off-Road PALS program became a reality when American Honda donated eight Off-road motorcycles to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHV) Division.

The Off-Road PALS provides students with a hands-on experience on how to safely ride an off-road motorcycle. The course curriculum covers starting, stopping, turning, shifting gears, environmental and riding ethics, and general equipment maintenance. The class finishes with a trail ride through the Hollister Hills Park, where the students can use their newly acquired riding skills and experience the thrill and fun of off-road riding. All Off-Road PALS programs are taught by certified CALPAL or volunteer instructors.

If you would like to volunteer some of your time with today's youth or would like more information, call the Hollister Police Department office at (831)-636-4330.

 Hollister P.A.L. is a non-profit organization, Federal Tax ID 77-6426