A summer full of activity is on tap as the Police Athletic League Summer Program sets up camp.
Applications are available for the program on the islands of St. Croix and St. Thomas, and the VIPD is reviving the P.A.L program on St. John.
P.A.L. is a police-sponsored juvenile crime prevention program offering recreational, educational, cultural and social programs to youth ages 6 to 16 while strengthening the bond between the police officers and young people.
Police Commissioner Novell E. Francis, Jr. encouraged parents to sign their children up for the program.
"Studies show that youth who interact favorably with police officers gain an early respect for the law and this contact lessens the chances of them being involved in criminal activity in the future," Francis said.
P.A.L summer camps applications are available from any police station, and can also be downloaded from the VIPD website.
The campsites are at the Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School on St. Thomas, Burning Bush in Watergut, Christiansted, Estate Whim in Frederiksted and the Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John.
Camp sessions will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Activities include academics, games, mechanics, arts and crafts, field trips and lots more. Additionally the summer program, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will be held at the Polyberg Hill location on St. Thomas.
The program is run by police officers and civilian personnel. The youth enjoy a variety of programs that instills in them good health habits, good sportsmanship, high morals and civic standards. Lunch and snack are provided daily.
For more information on the P.A.L. summer program or to sponsor a child on St. Thomas or St. John, those interested can call the Crime Prevention office, 776-1525.
For the P.A.L camps on St. Croix, call the Crime Prevention office at 773-6393.
