InTucker Magazine

On the Beat with Lt. Berg – October 2022

Lt. J.W. Berg is Tucker’s liaison to the DeKalb County Police Department and can be contacted by email at jwberg@dekalbcountyga.gov or by phone at (678) 597-9040.

For this month’s On The Beat, I’ve asked Sgt. Howard Jenkins to write something about our PALS unit and a great fundraising event we have coming up at our headquarters in Tucker.

Since 2006, the Dekalb County Police Department has operated the Dekalb County Police Athletic League Plus to aid in the prevention of juvenile crime by providing mentorship, civic service, athletic, recreational, enrichment and educational opportunities and resources to Dekalb County children. The Dekalb County PAL PLUS organization conducts a youth Career Development Program, an After Dark Summer Basketball League, a dance team, a boxing program along with hosting community events and festivals for Dekalb County youth. Based at Dekalb County Police Headquarters in Tucker, Dekalb County PAL bridges the gap between law enforcement and the community through youth engagement programs. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Dekalb PAL Plus raises 100% of its budget to go directly to programs that support youth programs that provide essential out-of-school activities for young people most in need.

Specifically in Tucker, Dekalb PAL Plus has a deep partnership with Tucker High School offering a four-month career development program (CDP) for young people ages 15-19. CDP helps prepare these young people for after-school jobs and future careers through a series of life skills workshops that cover conflict resolution, financial literacy, interview skills, coping with trauma as well as technical college programs like welding and HVAC. Dekalb County police officers help program participants obtain their GEDs and get enrolled in Georgia Piedmont Technical College to lead to high paying practical vocational careers.

Additionally, DeKalb PAL Plus has taken hundreds of Dekalb County elementary school children to the movies at the local Tucker Movie Tavern through its “Movies with a Cop” program. This fun and engaging event gives children an opportunity to experience police officers in a fun and engaging way that builds relationships and trust. DeKalb PAL Plus is currently working on a mentorship program for teenage boys in partnership with Tucker Middle School. All these programs are paid for through charitable donations and sponsorships, many coming directly from Tucker businesses and civic organizations.

One of their upcoming community-wide programs is coming up on Saturday, October 22, 4:00pm at the PAL Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk. Tucker residents have an opportunity to have fun and support DeKalb PAL Plus directly. The 5K Race is an event to raise awareness for the Dekalb PAL Plus program and to raise money for its youth mentoring program. All participants will receive a signature t-shirt and medal. In addition to the 5K run/walk, after the race we will have several family-friendly free activities.

Dekalb County PAL Plus is honored to be based in Tucker and have many of its efforts going directly to support Tucker youth. Together we can partner to reduce juvenile crime by mentoring Dekalb County youth with love and an empathetic approach. Please use your cell phone camera to open the QR code and register for the PAL Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk.

Registration: active.com/tucker-ga/running/distance-running-races/dekalb-pal-pumpkin-run-5k-2022

•100% of the profits will go directly to our local PAL youth mentoring, sports, and academic programs.

Please contact Sgt Howard Jenkins for help registering for the PAL Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk or for any PAL Program related questions. (404) 840-3225.