01 Apr Pittsburg Kids Reel in Memories at PAL Fishing Event

Contra Costa Pulse Staff Report

Over 100 Pittsburg residents, including kids and families, gathered early Saturday morning at Buchanan Park for the Pittsburg Police Activities League’s Fishing With My PAL event.

Launched in 2020, the event offers a chance for fishing, family bonding and positive interactions with Pittsburg police officers in an informal setting.

Temperatures hovered in the low-60s, while a DJ kept the energy high with old-school classics. A taco stand added to the festive atmosphere.

Attendees ranged from first-time fishers to seasoned vets, but the majority were kids and young people. Everyone crowded around the lake, trying to find space to cast their lines while hoping not to get tangled with their neighbor’s line — something that happened quite often. But cooperation and patience paid off as a few happy kids hooked and reeled in their very first fish.

Pittsburg police officers were on hand, providing guidance and assistance every step of the way, from setting up fishing reels to cleaning and cutting a prized catch.

“It’s giving people an opportunity to have a positive interaction with law enforcement, teaching new skills, and meeting new neighbors,” said Wolfgang Croskey, PAL board member and CEO of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a win-win all the way around.”

Croskey explained that the event started as a way to introduce kids — particularly those who had never seen fishing or live fish — to the activity, while also fostering positive relationships between the community and the police.

“Fishing with my PAL started because our former chief of police, Brian Addington, loved fishing,” said Croskey. “We thought it would be a great way to expose kids to fishing and have them interact positively with our police department. It’s grown every year since then.”

This year, around 90 tickets were sold in advance, and people continued to arrive throughout the day. The lake was stocked with about 500 pounds of trout, giving everyone a good chance to catch a fish.

For many children at the event, it was their first fishing experience. Croskey noted the event’s location was convenient, so kids didn’t have to travel far to try something new.

“They don’t need to have any fishing skills because we have plenty of officers and volunteers here to guide them through the process,” he said. “It’s been a great time for everyone.”

Croskey also said the event serves as a reminder of all the great amenities that Buchanan Park has to offer the community.

“This is a great way to activate this park,” Croskey said. “A lot of people don’t realize that there are horseshoes, bocce courts, fishing, swimming — there’s a lot to enjoy here that people drive by and don’t even know about.”