On January 19, the U.S. Embassy San Salvador, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) together with the Patria Unida Foundation, inaugurated the thirteenth Police Athletic League (PAL) program of the National Civilian Police (PNC) at the Municipal Stadium of Ilobasco, Cabañas. The PAL offers an array of recreational, educational, cultural, and social programs to serve community youth.
More than 600 youngers from schools in five Cabañas municipalities attended the inauguration, which included a dance performance — one of the PAL program’s most popular disciplines.
INL’s Regional Gang Advisor, James Rose, said “This program seeks to make a better El Salvador by protecting children and youth and offering activities to keep them constructively engaged.” INL also donated two cars and sports equipment to support the program in the Cabañas area.
The PAL effort began in Santa Ana in 2012 to offer youth alternatives to crime and improve relations between police and their communities. Within five years the program has expanded to Santa Ana, La Paz, La Libertad Norte, La Libertad Centro Sur, Ciudad Delgado, San Salvador, San Salvador Norte, Ahuachapán, Sonsonate, Usulután Norte, Usulután Centro, Soyapango and now to Cabañas.
