Early in the morning on a day in 1996, Ron Sanchez and a gang unit officer were waiting on the coroner to pick up the body of a tagger/gang member in an alley within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division.

Martial arts instructor Ron Sanchez, who was instrumental in the creation of the Hollywood PAL, teaches a class at the organization’s studio on Hollywood Boulevard on April 18. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

Sanchez, then a detective lieutenant, and the other officer, George Ryan, struck up a conversation about — of all things — martial arts and how the combat practices changed their lives and helped them develop.

“During that conversation, we just thought maybe we ought to just start a training program where we can train some of these kids that are hanging out with gangs, and maybe instead of being over their dead bodies, we could be mentoring their live bodies,” Sanchez recalled.

The two put the word out to some patrol and gang officers, and soon began teaching classes in the back of the Hollywood police station. They started with only a few students, but the program grew quickly. Soon thereafter, the program partnered with the Police Activities League (PAL) to create the Hollywood PAL.

Now in its 18th year, the Hollywood PAL continues to serve area youth through several programs: martial arts, soccer, the Hollywood Fit Club, the Junior Police Academy, the Youth Leadership Council, the Cultural and Family Enrichment Program and the PAL College Scholarship Program.

Sanchez, who previously served as the captain of the Hollywood Division, said the mission remains the same — use athletics and activities as a means to mentor area children to prevent them from using drugs or joining gangs.

“It became an amazing thing, but we didn’t give a lot of thought. We both felt in our hearts that there had to be a better way, so let’s do something different,” he said.

However, Sanchez doesn’t take credit for the program’s longevity.

“I think that was spiritual. I think God had his hands on that. I don’t take credit for being that smart,” he said, laughing.

Sanchez said martial arts, if implemented correctly, inherently teaches goal attainment, structure, discipline and respect, among other things. It helps children work on their conditioning, while also providing a platform for discussions about drugs, alcohol and smoking.

“Our whole goal is to just develop them as people,” Sanchez said.

The classes run Monday through Saturday, with three classes held each day. The classes are separated by experience level. Sanchez and fellow black belt Siaka Harding serve as the two instructors. Classes are held at the Hollywood PAL studio at 6411 Hollywood Blvd.

In the last 10 years or so, just six students have made the rank of black belt, Sanchez said. He said it usually takes students about seven years to achieve the rank, as the Hollywood PAL is “very strict” when promoting students.

Shantel Leyva, 17, hopes to attain her black belt in June. She has attended classes at Hollywood PAL since 2007, and enjoys the opportunity to build relationships and learn respect.

“I like that apart from just learning martial arts, you learn life lessons,” she said.

Sanchez said it’s common for black belts to return to the program and teach. Some students, such as Leyva, also participate in competitions throughout the region, he said.

The retired police captain said the program has been quite effective in changing lives. Yusuf Hernandez, 12, said the classes have helped him in several aspects of his life. He said he is now more motivated and always strives to give 100 percent in whatever he does.

“I kept not trying my best and letting the obstacles defeat me and stuff like that,” Hernandez said. “Then, when I came to this program, I started going over those obstacles and trying my best and not giving up.”

That kind of impact has been seen throughout Hollywood PAL’s programs. Valerie Lord, executive director, said sports have a natural discipline element that translates well into students’ personal lives. She said it’s also helpful for students to have a caring adult in their lives, aside from their parents.

“It pushes them to care about themselves,” Lord said.

Furthermore, it acclimates the students to police officers. The Hollywood PAL is managed by three LAPD officers, with the help of civilian staff members, such as Lord, and volunteers. She said some young people equate police officers with the thought of someone getting in trouble — instead of noting that the officers are around to improve public safety.

“The idea is for kids to relate to police officers in a different setting,” Lord added.

She said soccer is another popular PAL program. Eight teams compete, and each team has approximately 18 players. Lord said the soccer program has a 150-name waiting list, as the organization is hamstrung by a very high demand for field space in the local area. The teams play at Helen Bernstein High School.

Through its other programs, Hollywood PAL offers a running club, dancing and more. The Hollywood Fit Club offers three different activities each week, Lord said.

She said each program is always well attended — in part because of the programs’ low costs. However, the organization also gets referrals from schools, LAPD officers and other sources. Lord said on more than one occasion, a police officer has referred a child who has been consistently truant.

“It has happened, and it has turned lives around,” she added.

PAL is a national organization that has been in existence since 1914. Lord said each PAL is different, and each affiliate chooses its own activities. She said the nonprofit is responsible for its own budget, though it is supported by the LAPD and area organizations.

On April 28, Hollywood PAL is teaming up with Katsuya Hollywood, which is offering 15 percent of its total sales to the organization. However, customers must present a promotional flyer for the sale to be eligible. The flyer is available at the Hollywood PAL website.

For information or to donate, visit www.hollywoodpal.org.