Key Points
• “The Policing Alternatives and Diversion (PAD) Initiative is designed to reduce incarceration and arrest rates of people experiencing problems related to poverty, mental health or substance abuse.”
• “PAD has had a presence in Atlanta since 2017, but in January (2021), it began expanding to include referrals from law enforcement as an alternative to arrests in all Atlanta Police Department zones, said Community Engagement Manager, Clara Totenberg Green. The initiative also partnered with the city’s 311 line to receive community referrals for certain non-emergency issues. By late June (2021), PAD services will be available to all police officers and residents in the city of Atlanta. In addition to raising community awareness, PAD continues to train officers with APD, MARTA and Georgia Tech on how to divert individuals to PAD before making an arrest.”
• “From January (2021) through April (2021), PAD received 202 calls to 311 and had 85 law enforcement diversions. Green said the response points to the community’s desire to handle things differently. Could law enforcement officers be incentivized to make more diversions instead of writing tickets or making arrests?”
