MORE THAN JUST FUN AND GAMES

Two local programs expand on the traditional after-school options for kids.

Most kids' "pals" are their peers and friends _ the people in whom they confide. But for many teens, police officers don't come to mind when you ask them who their pals are.

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is hoping to change kids' image of officers.

"Police Athletic League is one of the positive sides of the police department in that we are out trying to do something pro-actively to help the youth of our city," said Sgt. William Benjamin, a PAL volunteer. "We want productive citizens, we want them to have self-esteem and we want them to be able to go out there and win."

Indianapolis Police Department Officer Jeffrey Taylor, a 27-year-old PAL volunteer at John Marshall Junior High School, says, "The best part of the program is the development of the youth. I think it benefits me because it gives me the opportunity to see what type of impact I'm making on the youth."

About 900 city kids participate in PAL programs that began in the 1940s. Executive Director Thomas Hayes says the program has tripled since the late '80s, and its goal is to open a new site every year.

"With the increase of numbers, even though the community is always coming out against the police department, the officers in the program must be doing something right," Hayes said. "There's also an increase of parents calling the program wanting to get their kids involved in it. The department cannot meet the public demand."

Club members participate in boxing, basketball, track and field, softball, baseball and other sports.

"We're trying to have (kids) in programs that develop the talents they have," Taylor said.

"Sports is not just an answer," adds Hayes. "Sports is a way to get them into the program. Once we get them into the program, that gives us the opportunity to really do the self-esteem building and drug-awareness types of things, the self- and life-survival skill type of things."

PAL also sponsors dances and offers a tutorial program at Crispus Attucks Junior High and at John Marshall for kids in Grades 1-9. The tutoring group meets every Wednesday for two hours. The first 1 1/2 hours is for homework. IPS-certified teachers work with the kids. The last half-hour is for drug education.

The kids don't think the police officers as anyone different because they're "just another coach," says Tony, 17, a participant in the program. "There are a lot of benefits to the program for the kids. You get to travel, play on lots of sports activity teams."

The kids feel there is "nothing to achieve, just have fun. Like a regular program," Tony says.

"The only way we can improve the program would be to get more volunteers, or more police officers interested in helping out with the youth. . . . You don't have to be a police officer," Taylor said.

For more information about Police Athletic League programs, call 632-2487.

"Each officer, by working with the kids, has an idea of what kids are having problems (with) in school because they require report cards before they can play in any of our sports activities." Taylor said.