07/02/2026
"The only person who may be around to help you is you."
That was the message when girls from Pinellas PAL joined an all-female group of PCSO instructors for self-defense and empowerment training, just one of the things kids get to experience through PAL, a local youth program the Sheriff's Office proudly supports.
The girls learned how to NOT be a good target: staying alert, carrying themselves with confidence, and making eye contact so an attacker loses the element of surprise. They practiced situational awareness, then hit the mat room to learn hands-on defensive tactics.
Read the full story in the latest Inside the Star at PinellasSheriff.gov/InsideTheStar.
What's Pinellas PAL? The Pinellas County Sheriff's Police Athletic League is a nonprofit serving young people across the county, particularly underserved children, with mentoring, meals, academic support, and arts and sports programming. Learn more at PinellasPal.com or call (727) 453-4PAL.