History of PAL
The Police Athletic
League of Jacksonville literally started out of the trunk of Officer Norm Demer’s patrol car in the 1960’s when he was
with the Jacksonville Police Department. As more and more
officers answered the call to help children, PAL was
incorporated as a
501(c)(3) youth agency to serve Jacksonville in 1972 to
provide various athletic, educational and mentoring  programs
that help deter crime, provide physical exercise and boost
self-esteem. PAL opened its first doors in 1974 on McDuff
Avenue, purchased the 33rd Street location in 1988, and
opened its newest building in the Ed Austin Regional Park in
2001.
In the fall of 2002 , PAL
started an after school youth leadership program at the
Eastside community center and in 2004, PAL partnered with
the Sheriff ’s offi ce and the City Parks, Recreation and
Entertainment Division to make considerable capital and
program improvements to Mallison Park, formerly one of the
highest crime areas in Jacksonville. Today, Mallison Park
crime rates have decreased considerably - thanks to the
addition of educational programming and the track renovation
- which now is a competition venue.
PAL of Jacksonville has
continued to grow through the generous support of the
Jacksonville Sheriff ’s Office, other local and state
agencies, local businesses and private donors. |
