Minneapolis Police Activity League (PAL) - A Discussion with Officer Krystal Scott

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Officer Krystal Scott reads to 3rd graders at Cityview Community School

Did you know that we have a Police Activity League in Minneapolis? It is an outstanding outreach program, headed by Officer Krystal Scott. We talked to her about the history, current programming and how trust is gained with vulnerable youth one day at a time.

Q:  What is the history of the Minneapolis Police Activity League (PAL) program?

A:  In previous years the Minneapolis PAL program was staffed with a few PAL officers, one Sergeant, and a Lieutenant for the unit. Minneapolis PAL also had families, community members and other officers volunteer their time to coach or supervise the numerous activities that PAL created. PAL focused their efforts on providing mentoring opportunities, after-school academic programming, summer programs, sporting activities, and community programs for youth between 5 and 18 years of age. PAL partnered with Minneapolis-based elementary, middle, and high schools as well as community centers to bring some of these opportunities to underserved inner-city youth. PAL often was an outlet for students to stay out of trouble as well as to give them exposure to numerous activities that they would not normally learn or have the opportunities to explore.

The PAL unit was disbanded in 2019 due to COVID, staffing shortages, and other changes within the Minneapolis Police Department. It reemerged in 2022 with a focus on providing mentorship and afterschool programming for four northside Minneapolis Elementary schools. The goal is to acquire and develop additional resources to provide increased mentorship and after-school programing in more schools, and to reestablish sporting activities, community activities and opportunities for other programs throughout the city. I believe that these efforts will provide more opportunities for individual success for the youth within the city of Minneapolis.

Officer Maya Johnson and Officer Krystal Scott read to a 1st grade classroom at Cityview Community School.

Q:  The mission of the organization is to develop and nurture strong community, youth, and Police relationships. What programs are underway currently? 

A:  I currently support four Northside Elementary schools - Lucy Craft Laney Elementary School, Cityview Community School, Hall STEM Academy and Jenny Lind Elementary School. The goal is to reestablish a strong relationship with students and a strong partnership with the schools. Together, we all seek to assist youth in reaching their full potential. PAL strives to get the youth more active in learning as well as receive the positive benefits from physical exercise. During my work days, I am present in the schools looking for opportunities to interact and participate in activities the students are involved in. I also will sit with the students during lunchtime and chat about the things they find important. I am always looking for opportunities to hand out PAL stickers to highlight and support good behavior. I will often spend the latter half of my day mentoring students and making sure that I am a support to them during playtime, homework time and downtime when they are enjoying being active and unique.

During Women’s History Month, PAL brought in a local female music artist to read Malala’s Magic Pencil and sang the song Rise Up by Rihanna. The theme of the book and music was to empower and uplift not only young girls to fight for equal rights but empower all people to fight for what was right no matter the struggle or barrier in front of them.

A Pre-K PAL participant for the Herb Brooks Foundation Hockey Clinic getting ready for her first round of skating activities.

Lt. Hand from the 4th precinct, Officer Scott and Miss Terry preparing PAL participant members for the skate of their life at the Herb Brooks Foundation Hockey Clinic.

PAL also partnered with the Herb Brooks Foundation to put on a Hockey Clinic to youth who were interested in learning about the basics of ice skating while implementing the skills of hockey. Students from the ages of 4-9 had an opportunity to skate with Minneapolis Police Officers and hockey instructors from colleges and high schools and other youth from all over the Twin Cities.

During the summer, PAL has high hopes of starting a small summer programming in partnership with the Freedom School at Cityview Community School as well as Lucy Craft Laney. PAL hopes to implement sporting activities, community activities and volunteer opportunities for students to stay active during the summer months as well for the couple of weeks they are involved in summer school. PAL will also bring forth opportunities for students to learn and play basketball at a PAL basketball clinic, learn jujitsu through some of our instructors who are part the Minneapolis Police Department training staff as well as have opportunities to participate in flag football while partnering with the Park Board. Activities are being created according to staffing and resources as we hope to share those opportunities later.

Q:  Can you share some success stories with us?  

A:  I will share one of the many success stories that have occurred since PAL became active again this last year. When I initially came to one of the schools, a particular male student was very reluctant to interact with me when he learned that I was a Police Officer and that I would be at his school interacting with students. This particular student was very hesitant about coming up to me and continued to ask if I was a police officer and if I arrested people and if I used my gun. I reassured him that the reason why I was there was to get to know him, play some games and to have fun with him. Over time and through numerous opportunities of interacting with him, I watched as his reluctance changed into him becoming more comfortable with me being around. The student even began to approach me when he would see me and we began to have more playful interactions. Eventually, every time I came to afterschool, the student would greet me with a hug and a smile. The student would ask me why I wasn’t there on other days that he had afterschool and I would explain to him that I shared time with other schools. The student stated that he wished that I was at his school and asked if he could come with me when I left. The start of that relationship showed me that with time and effort, I would be accepted and that I was in the right place.

Target Corporation partnered with the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minneapolis Community Engagement team and sponsored some of our Northside students to join in a Heroes and Helpers event at the 900 Nicollet Mall Target.

Q:  Do you collaborate with other city’s PAL programs? Is Minneapolis PAL a member of the National PAL organization?

A:  Minneapolis has not yet collaborated with other cities’ PAL programs. We are taking it one step at a time and regaining trust and rebuilding our community partnership back up with families, communities and students. However, PAL has collaborated with other community programs and businesses to bring forth opportunities for the youth within the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis is not currently a member of National PAL but we are in the early stages of developing that partnership.   

Q:  What is a typical day for you? 

A:  A typical day for me changes from Monday-Friday. I typically start my day off answering email at my office base. I then go on the road to do office hours at one of the four schools in the morning to allow students to come in, say hello, give lots of love, hugs and fist bumps as I wish them a good productive and positive day. The students may leave with a piece of candy but most definitely a smile. I will continue my day in either staying at a particular school or transitioning to another school. I will slip into one of the students’ special classes such as Physical Education class to observe and learn the activity they are participating in and play with them. At the end of my day, I may move to a different school and participate in their afterschool activities. I usually go and sit in the lunchroom while students are having lunch to joke and talk about the day’s happenings before they break up into their afterschool groups. During afterschool, I get to participate in arts and crafts, board games, sporting activities, and help with homework or projects if they have them. One of my favorite activities that I like to do with students is guiding a competition in rap battles. At the end of the day, I leave with giggles, hugs and fist bumps, and a promise that I will bring candy the next time that I return.

During I Love to Read Month, Chief O’Hara, Minneapolis PAL, Members of the recruitment unit, CSO unit as well as other patrol officers came together to read to all students at Cityview City school in North Minneapolis.

Q:  Do you welcome volunteers from the public?

A:  I most certainly welcome volunteers, families, and other individuals from different careers to come and spend some of their time with the PAL program and PAL students. It is one of the most satisfying and important parts of my job and I guarantee that volunteers would feel the same after leaving these students. Volunteers will not only smile, but they will also get to play and positively interact with our youth.  Further, volunteers will also be fulfilled in knowing that they made the day for a child that just needs consistent love, support, extra care and an opportunity to just be a kid.

Q:  Good luck with your programs and mentoring. How may we follow your news? 

A:  PAL has recently revamped our Facebook page. We are constantly updating information about our events on this social media outlet. We highlight events and activities from the past month and future events or activities that will be coming up. If there are any questions, concerns, or inquiries I am available via my email, krystal.scott@minneapolismn.gov, for the community to receive the most current updates on happenings with PAL and PAL youth.