ALLENTOWN, Pa. - At a news conference attended by Cookie Monster, a variety of ghouls and goblins, and several witches, Allentown Police Department Chief Charles Roca and Mayor Matt Tuerk announced that the city's Police Athletic League (PAL) building will get $80,000 in state funds for renovations.
The announcement was made Saturday evening during a Halloween program hosted by PAL for the program’s kids and teens.
- APD announced on Saturday, Oct. 22 that the Police Athletic League (PAL) will receive $80,000 to help renovate a building used for summer camps
- The building is older and in need of repairs on both the top floor and basement
- Once the renovations are complete, the building will be named in honor of Det. Jim Stanko who served as the PAL community liaison officer until he passed in January 2022
Sen. Pat Browne, a Republican from Allentown, addressed the group gathered for the event.
“These funds will serve as the final dollars that are necessary for the department to make significant repairs and renovations to the building we stand next to today, which serves as a site for most of the camp events that PAL puts on,” Browne said.
The Police Athletic League is a nonprofit organization chartered in 1956 dedicated to fostering relationships between police officers and city youth through mentorship and athletics. It offers sports camps, basketball leagues, and other activities for children.
Building in need of upgrades
APD's PAL camp and other activities take place in a building overlooking Little Lehigh Creek. Repairs will be focused on the basement and top floor, according to PAL Director Matt Geake. Plans to upgrade and repair the building have been in place since July of this year.
“These funds will serve as the final dollars that are necessary for the department to make significant repairs and renovations to the building we stand next to today which serves as a site for most of the camp events that PAL puts on."Senator Pat Browne, 16th Senatorial District
Plans to name the newly renovated building after Det. Jim Stanko are still in the works. Det. Stanko was the PAL community liaison officer until he passed away in January 2022.
Geake said that the kids really loved Stanko.
“The goal is to redo this building and have a place where these kids can have a second home,” Geake said.
Yaneisha Martinez, an attendee of PAL, has been coming to events going on for four years. “PAL is a way you can improve yourself… you can get out of your comfort zone,” Martinez said.
Martinez said when she first went to PAL, she was not sure she was going to meet a lot of friends, but she said she has found people there.
She initially connected with the Allentown police and fire departments during COVID when she sent them a letter to thank them for serving the city during the pandemic. Martinez said that led to an invitation to the PAL camp.
Martinez declined to comment on a favorite officer of the PAL program. But fellow attendee Marisa Price, said Officer Geake was her favorite. She said she has been attending PAL for 5 years as well and that her favorite part is how much the officers support her.
“He’s been there for me through everything, he’s like a second father,” Price said of Geake.
