They also are involved in youth programs such as the Philadelphia Police Athletic League (PAL). Commissioner Ramsey encourages young people to get involved in PAL. Its mission is to enable city police officers make a positive difference in the lives of children. The officers run free sports, educational, and cultural activities at PAL centers. Those centers are open after school and in the summer. Commissioner Ramsey says programs like PAL help young people stay focused and avoid risky activities and groups. For youths ages 14 to 21, gang membership poses the greatest threat to well-being and safety, he says. For kids to help keep their neighborhood safe, they need to learn to be safe themselves. “If you see something wrong or see someone getting bullied, don’t be afraid to speak up,” Commissioner Ramsey says. He says you should talk to an adult you trust when you find yourself in a scary situation. Commissioner Ramsey has spent more than 40 years in law enforcement, starting in his hometown of Chicago. It’s a career that seemed to find him, rather than the other way around. He had planned to become a doctor. Charles Ramsey Speaking up is a step toward safer neighborhoods He is a respected crime-fighter who helps protect the people of a big city. But he is not a comic book superhero. He is Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. Commissioner Ramsey may be one of the busiest men in the city. He is in charge of the fourth-largest police force in the United States, and has the big responsibility of protecting Philadelphia’s citizens. He also works to make sure that children have opportunities to learn how to become good citizens. When talking to a group of sixth graders, for instance, he posed this question: What would you do if you found a gun in the street? His answer: Don’t touch it. Tell an adult and dial 911 so an officer can recover the gun. The men and women of the Police Department visit schools to teach students ways to stay safe and make good choices. They patrol the streets before and after school to prevent problems when children are arriving and leaving.