Salinas Police Activities League

History

Founded in 1991, by Chief Dan Nelson, the Salinas Police Activities League is a non-profit organization that provides recreational, cultural, social, and educational activities for young people in Salinas. Coordinated by police officers and staffed by community volunteers, the PAL program organizes 18 different annual programs. The agency currently serves more than 1,100 children between the ages of 7 and 18 each year. As the programs constantly expand to meet the changing needs and interest of our city's youth; PAL's goal remains constant to assist young people in developing meaningful and productive lives.

Each year Salinas PAL offers a variety of field trips to PAL children. Last year the trips included Leland Meadows, Pismo Beach, Alcatraz, San Jose Tech Museum, Exploratorium, Big Sur horseback riding, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, Disneyland and many more.

January of 2009 marked Salinas PAL's eighteenth year of service to the youth of Salinas. PAL continues to provide a variety of activities that nurture the cognitive and effective development of PAL members.

The 2009 list of activities include archery, baseball, basketball, girls softball, golf, tennis, ballet, bowling, Jr. Giants baseball, karate, off-road vehicles, soccer, horseback riding, internet lab, computer tutorial, bike rodeos, Christmas party, Halloween party, field trips, social activities and more.

The interim Executive Director of the PAL program is Sgt. John Avery. CSO. Scott Callan is the Program Director and is assigned to the Harden Youth Development Center operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County. Several Police Officers and community members volunteer their time and are committed to the success of children in Salinas.

Inspired by our success, the PAL staff is motivated to attain new heights in 2009. The Salinas Police Department and PAL are united in a mission to engage children in wholesome, positive and productive activities that will broaden their horizons and brighten their lives. This mission is important to us because we know that in many neighborhoods, children have no PAL's except us.