11/23/2009 - NEWS RELEASE
Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Linda Wiley, 207-874-8601
lindaw@portlandmaine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2009

Portland Recreation’s 4th & 5th Grade Basketball League teams up with Police Athletic League (PAL)

PORTLAND, Maine: The Portland Police Department’s Police Athletic League (PAL) is excited to announce their co-sponsorship of and participation in the City of Portland’s Recreation Department’s 4th & 5th Grade Basketball League. The season starts this Saturday, November 14, 2009, with games at 11:00am and 2:00pm at the Riverton Community Center at 1600 Forest Avenue in Portland. Along with its co-sponsorship of the League, the Police Department also volunteered the services of three of its officers as coaches. The games will be held every Saturday through January, 2010.

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. It is based on the conviction that young people - if they are reached early enough - can develop strong, positive attitudes towards police officers in their journey through life toward the goal of maturity and good citizenship. The PAL program brings youth under the supervision and positive influence of a law enforcement agency, expands public awareness about the role of a police officer, and reinforces the positive values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents. For further information on the Police Athletic League’s activities, please contact Officer Raymond Ruby at (207) 233-1151.
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