Md. cities launch Police Athletic Leagues

SALISBURY, Md. – Thanks to a grant from Governor Larry Hogan, Salisbury and Cambridge are starting PAL (Police Athletic League) programs, a police-led initiative dedicated to mentoring kids.

Mark Thompson, a Coordinator for the Wicomico Mentoring Project said, “Well it’s going to be a life skills based program where our police officers will come in and they’ll spend a half hour, 45 minutes working with homework skills, and then they’ll transition right into athletics.”

As part of the program, officers will spend at least four hours a month with their mentees.

Salisbury City officials told us having kids engaged in positive activities with their officers after school is crucial.

Salisbury Mayor Jake Day said, “The after school hours from 2 to 7 PM are what we saw years ago the period of time when we have the most juvenile delinquency issues.”

The idea is if kids participate in things like basketball and football after school with their local law enforcement, keeping them on the right path and out of trouble will be a slam dunk.”

Mayor Day said, “This is the beginning of something that will germinate and grow into something far more positive.”

Mentors like Thompson believe the program will ultimately help improve kids relationship with their local police officers.

Thompson said, “The police officers that are mentoring now can stay after school in some of our schools and work with the kids not only academically but now athletically, and just show that combined effort that police and community relations are growing.”

So if you’re looking to take part in this good cause and you’re wiling to toss a football around for a bit, we’re told they’re always looking for volunteers.

If you want to volunteer for the City of Salisbury you are encouraged to contact Mark Thompson with the Wicomico County Mentoring Partnership.

Meanwhile If you want to volunteer in Cambridge, they suggest you call their Police Department’s Community Policing Division at 410-228-3333.