NIGHT IN BLUE: On Wednesday, October 16, 2019, the Boston Police Activities League (Boston PAL) hosted its inaugural fundraising gala, ‘Night in Blue’, in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Night in Blue is a tribute to the profound commitment to public safety and youth engagement by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Commissioner William G. Gross and the Boston Police Department Bureau of Community Engagement. Mayor Walsh was honored and presented with the Boston PAL Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his distinguished civic leadership and outstanding philanthropic commitment. The evening also highlighted the success of the BPD’s Bureau of Community Engagement as well as the effectiveness of their programs and activities throughout the community. Over 400 of Boston’s business, civic and cultural leaders attended Night in Blue which enabled Boston PAL to raise funds needed to grown and expand signature programs throughout the City of Boston.
“Boston PAL’s programs operate throughout all Boston neighborhoods. Thousands of children and young people benefit each year from PAL resources,” said Commissioner Gross, “From Youth/Police Dialogues to basketball games, from the Teen Police Academy to Flashlight Walks, from book clubs to boxing lessons – Boston youth are interacting with police in a positive way every day. And, it is making a huge difference as young people see our officers more and more as friends and mentors, not enemies. PAL makes this possible.”