REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (KCBS) _ Tight city budgets are taking the police out of the Police Activities League in Redwood City as the community tries to pitch in to help.

Board President Jim Gordon said the city can no longer afford cops for the PAL.

"It costs a lot of money to have a sworn officer lead PAL," he said. "So with this reorganization, we have gone through a process where the police department supports PAL with a cash stipend and we've hired a civilian executive director."

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Gordon and a couple of hundred others gathered at Courthouse Square for the annual Arts and Blues Festival Saturday, fundraising in an effort to keep youth sports alive.

Craig Silverman spoke highly of his years coaching his two sons and hundreds of others.

"We've all been trying to pony up a little bit here and there. Being out here for this blues festival is great," said Silverman. "Having a chance to buy some things. If it helps PAL, that's where I'm spending my money.

The Police Activities League runs a community center with many sports opportunities, including basketball, football, boxing and even hip hop dance.