Erie PAL Chapter Approved by National PAL Board
Officials from the City of Erie Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and The Committee on the Revival of the Erie Police Athletic League announced today the return of the Erie Police Athletic League after a vote of approval by the National Police Athletic/Activities League this afternoon. Once a flourishing local organization, Erie PAL has been absent from the local scene for more than forty years. Founded nationally nearly 100 years ago, PAL is the most successful organization of its kind working to unlock the power of the “cop-kid” relationship.
“This represents the culmination of a year-long effort to revive the Erie Police Athletic league and the start of a new chapter in the history of Erie PAL,” said Ronald DiNicola, President & Co-Chair of the Erie PAL Board of Directors. “The idea to revive Erie PAL was borne out of necessity and desire to create an atmosphere where kids and cops can develop positive and meaningful relationships early on, allowing for a strong path toward future success and good citizenship.”
Co-chairs of the Committee on the Revival of the Erie Police Athletic League, Former Chief Randy Bowers, Sheriff John Loomis and Ronald DiNicola made the announcement alongside acting City of Erie Police Chief Donald Ducas, who was on hand for the announcement.
Today, more than 400 hundred chapters with 1700 PAL facilities serve millions of at risk youngsters across the United States. The National Chapter approval The National Police Athletics/Activities Leagues, Inc. provides Erie PAL with resources and opportunities to grow its programs and enhance the quality of individual programming.