AAA partners with PAL Driver's Education Program

The Police Athletic League of KCK has partnered with the auto clubs of AAA Kansas and AAA Missouri, which will provide support for the PAL's free teen Driver's Education program.

AAA is providing funding support and two Driver's Ed vehicles to the PAL to help the organization.

The partnership was announced at a media conference on Feb. 19. At the event, KCKPD Chief Karl Oakman said the PAL's innovative Driver's Education program is making an impact and helping to prevent criminal offenses in Kansas City, Kansas.

Chief Oakman said that youth crime rates are at a historical low in Kansas City, Kansas because of programs like the PAL's driver's ed, gun safety and mentoring programs.

Matt Tomasic, executive director of the PAL, said, "This Driver's Ed program is true crime prevention. It's helping to keep kids out of the system and making our community safer."

The PAL program is the nation's first driver's education program that is completely free for students and run by police officers. Since its inception in 2021, more than 200 youth have successfully earned their Kansas driver's permits and licenses.

The AAA partnership will help provide an additional driving instructor and two vehicles. This will help the PAL address the waiting lists for dozens of high school students in the urban core. The PAL expects an additional 200 students to complete the program in 2024.

See the media coverage of the event.