Police Athletic League history

In 1916, Police Commisioner Arthur Woods began a social movement that would eventually be known as the Police Athletic League.

In 1918, Police Commisioner Arthur Woods began a social movement that would eventually be known as the Police Athletic League.

In 1929, Police Commissioner Grover A. Whalen appointed a committee on crime prevention to address growing concerns about juvenile delinquency.

In 1931, Mayor James J Walker signed a bill to make the Crime Prevention Bureau, later known as the Juvenile Justice Aid Bureau, a permanent part of the Police Department.

The 1932 Annual report of the Police Department stated, "During a Depression, it is the children who stand in the greatest danger of permanent injury." In response, the Crime Prevention Bureau formed the Junior Police Athletic League.

The Police Athletic League was reorganized in 1936.

PAL had over 70,000 members in 1937 and operated 69 indoor centers, many of which were dedicated to the memories of police officers who died in the line of duty.

September 6, 1939 was PAL Day at the Words Fair in New York City, and a Playstreet was set up in the heart of the Fair.

In 1945, Mayor William O'Dwyer pledged "100% support" to the PAL program.

In 1949, PAL created the Placement Division to help young people find jobs, in addition to providing vocational guidance.

President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the "War on Poverty" in 1963, and federal funds were allocated for PAL programs.

Head start pre-school was initiated in 1964.

After a period of declining enrollment and building closings, a commitment was made by former Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello as he entered office in 1994 to rebuild the PAL to once again provide quality athletic and educational programming to the boys and girls of the City of Buffalo.

A memorandum of Understanding signed in 1997 formalized the cooperative relationship between the City and PAL and allowed PAL Staffers to work alongside Recreation personnel to provide a seamless provision of a wide range of services.

From 2000 to the present, PAL enhanced its programs and launched innovative ways to help New York City youth.

In 2004, PAL started Youth Link, a program focused on young people who are involved in the juvenile justice system.