Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Program Narrative <br /> <br />~~arrative is limited to one page per section. Text must be 10 or 12 pitch or point type. <br /> <br />.' <br /> <br />~foblem Statement <br /> <br />Since 1991, the City of Paris has had a recurring problem with youth including violence <br /> <br /> <br />and drug~~~volvement._ T?e City has addressed the problem by increased patrolling, <br /> <br /> <br />but a prevention effort was needed because the City had ver~ little to occupy young <br /> <br /> <br />people~, -especially those -in the 14-18 year old age group that is most susceptible <br /> <br />to gang involvement. A Police Athletic League (P.A.L.~ program was begun in a rented <br /> <br /> <br />building and quickly grew to .serve an esti:nated 260 reg)Jl.ar youth--participaIlts;-. To <br /> <br /> <br />accomodate the growing program, the Paris News donated a building in downtown Paris <br /> <br /> <br />that has a great deal of space, covering approximately half a square block of two- <br /> <br /> <br />story building and an adjoining parking 10[. ~~ny of [he rooms in the building are <br /> <br /> <br />large but need a great amount of renovation. Much of the renovation is being <br /> <br /> <br />addressed by community donations. <br /> <br />~~at is most needed is to maintain the full-time Coordinator to survive existing <br /> <br /> <br />activities such as karate, weight lifting and boxing programs that are taught by the <br /> <br /> <br />police officer and community volunteers. The Coordinator also schedules additional <br /> <br /> <br />activities, including a First Offenders Program of supervised activities for juveniles <br /> <br /> <br />which were referred by the Lamar County Juvenile Probation Department. In addition, <br /> <br /> <br />the Coordinator over sees maintenance and renovation of the building and meets with <br /> <br /> <br />community volunteers and civil groups to encourage greater community support of <br /> <br /> <br />this program. <br /> <br />C.JD.-11 <br /> <br />jssued J 0/94 <br />