The Rapid City Police Department’s Juvenile Operation Division has facilitated the creation of an organization titled the ‘Rapid City Police Activities League’ or ‘RC PAL’ for short. The main objective of the RC PAL is to engage local youth through athletic activities.
The RC Police Activities League had created a series of downtown basketball events to coincide with the Thursday evening music series in downtown Rapid City. Dubbed ‘Night Court,’ the free 3-vs-3 basketball league is open to local youth ages 11 – 15. It will take place along Saint Joseph Street between 6th and 7th Streets on the following evenings:
- June 21st
- June 28th
- July 12th
- July 19th
- July 26th
- August 2nd
Sign-up will take place at 5:00 p.m., with play running from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Participation waivers will be required for all youth participants and can be turned in prior to the start of play. The waivers require a signature from a participant’s parent/guardian. Waivers are available at www.PALRapidCity.org.
In partnership with the Rapid City Area Schools District, basketball coaching staff and players from Rapid City Central and Rapid City Stevens High School will join with School Liaison Officers in order help oversee play.
“We feel it is important for youth to partner with mentors in order to continue their athletic activities as they make their way into middle and high school,” says Lt. Brian Blenner of the RCPD’s Juvenile Operations Division.
These events are made possible through sponsorship from The Fraternal Order of Police South Dakota Lodge 2, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Scheels, Sonic Drive-In, Gateway Autoplex, and Volunteers of America.
“We believe by hosting these proactive, youth-centric activities, we’ll be able to make a positive impact on the youth issues we’ve observed in previous years during the Thursday night events downtown,” says Lt. Blenner. “Statistics show that local youth ages 11 – 15 are the most at-risk to get involved in the juvenile justice system. The aim of these events to build positive relationships between local law enforcement, the community, and this at-risk demographic.”