New Haven PAL tells city committee it needs a shared facility as programs expand and registration fills rapidly

Representatives of the Police Athletic League (PAL) told the City of New Haven Board of Governors Youth Services Committee on March 5, 2025, that the program has expanded to roughly 10 seasonal programs but lacks a permanent facility and often must rely on school or partner space to operate.

That expansion, PAL presenters said, has increased demand to the point that some programs fill in minutes. "Last year, our summer camp filled up in 30 minutes," one presenter said, and "this year, hockey filled up in 20 minutes," underscoring the program’s growth and space constraints.

PAL representatives described the organization as officer-run youth programming intended to give students "option and opportunity." Sergeant Ron Ferrante of the New Haven Police Department, who spoke for PAL, said the group typically runs programming after school, on weekends and during the summer and that officers who serve as school resource officers also staff many PAL activities. "I have seven in total," Ferrante said, referring to officers who currently help run PAL programs.

Committee members praised PAL’s work and offered help promoting programs, creating flyers and exploring locations. Presenters said PAL currently uses a mix of city and partner facilities — naming school gyms, a basement space at 200 Wintergreen Ave., short-term permits at high schools, and a temporary contract with Powerhouse Gym for boxing — and described a priority enrollment policy that gives New Haven residents and New Haven public school students first access to limited slots.

PAL representatives said they are pursuing a nonprofit board structure and outreach to municipal and private partners to find or share a permanent space; they noted possible targets such as former religious or board of education properties, including an old Board of Education warehouse on Ferry Street that has been vacant. Committee members and other officials said they would circulate PAL links and flyers and help publicize openings to increase community awareness.

Committee members and presenters also framed PAL activities as part of broader community safety and prevention efforts. Several committee members and presenters said the relationships that PAL officers and school resource officers build with students are crucial for both engagement and for helping during crises; one committee member noted SROs and PAL officers had helped gather information and calm students after recent youth homicides.

The meeting concluded with committee members offering logistical help — from printing flyers to sharing social media — and PAL presenters saying they would follow up with program schedules and materials. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and approved.