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<br />FOCUS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT <br /> <br />The focus of this grant request is to fund one full time police officer to act as a <br />coordinator/operator of the Police Athletic League of Paris, Texas. Since the City <br />of Paris has no community center or recreation center, the Police Athletic League <br />is one of the places juveniles can go which is safe for recreation and amusement. <br />Prior to beginning the Police Athletic League, the City of Paris was experiencing <br />a surge of gang violence. When the children involved were questioned as to why <br />they were becoming involved with gangs they advised that there was nothing for <br />them to do and nowhere for them to go to have fun. A Police Athletic League was <br />formed, but did not really take off until this funding for an officer became <br />available. Initially, the PAL only had about 45 kids. Today the active memberships <br />stand at 400 plus. <br /> <br />The Police Athletic Officer spends his full time working at the Police Athletic <br />League providing recreational and amusement opportunities for children between <br />the ages of 8 and 18. Our target group however is the at-risk youth between 14 to <br />18 years of age. We also house the alternate education program at the Police <br />Athletic League for juveniles who have been dismissed from their regular school <br />campus and have as a last resort the alternative school. There are usually 35 to <br />50 students in this class. The PAL Officer helps to supervise with these students. <br />