Sartell Police Grows Bond With Youth at Community Program [VIDEO]

SARTELL -- Each summmer, the Sartell Police department has been getting children active with their Police Activities League (P.A.L.) program.

The 20 year program is designed to have members of the police department interact with the children in the community in a fun atmosphere.

Adam Vande Vrede has been working with the P.A.L. program since 2002. He says it's a great way to strengthen the community.

"We are not just the police or the authority," says Vande Vrede. "We're people too, and we want to interact with the kids and get to know the kids in the community."

The night consists of multiple games and activities, and you can even test your skills against members of the police department.

"I'm not afraid to jump in with the kids throw a few dodge balls, play tag," says Vande Vrede.

The P.A.L. program brings in about 150 children each night to Val Smith Park. Vande Vrede feels the program will continue to be strong for years to come.

"We haven't seen it yet where the numbers have decreased, the kids just keep coming and it helps us to run the program," says Vande Vrede.

The program free to attend and runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.until July 24th.