TROY – An event run by the city’s Police Athletic League last weekend helped get dozens of local children off the streets while bolstering community support.

A family fun day was held at the Central Little League field, located at the corner of Swift Street and Seventh Avenue on Sept. 19 which offered area youngsters a chance to meet their neighbors and simply have a good time with an afternoon of music, food, and activities.

Troy Community Police Officer Aaron Collington, one of the PAL organizers, said that the event was being used to gauge what can be done with the under-utilized ball field, with the hope of someday involving some 1,300 children in middle school across the city to keep them off the streets and make it less likely that they will be involved in criminal activity.

MacArthur Henderson, a parent whose children were enjoying the event, said he was happy to see so many children engaged and learning to respect the law.

“I’m happy to see this,” said Henderson, who noted that many children in the local neighborhoods did not have two parents at home to guide them in the right direction.

He also said that it was good to have people back enjoying the Little League’s facilities after the community had let it deteriorate over the years.

“It’s bringing the pride back to Central Little League,” said Henderson.

Additionally, Tyara Burnett volunteered her time as a disc jockey for the event and said she was hoping to establish future programs for city youth at the Troy Boys and Girls Club with her 518 Positive Reinforcement Dance Group.

The next PAL event is currently being planned as a bowling outing at Uncle Sam Lanes on Halloween.

A community pot luck dinner will be held at the Troy Boys and Girls Club Monday in celebration of International Peace Day.

The event is being organized by the 518 Positive Reinforcement dance group, Healing Winds, and the Missing Link Street Ministry.

The dinner, performances, and film shorts will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by a candlelight vigil in Sage Park at 7 p.m.