Policing alternative nonprofit faces $270,000 funding gap due to Atlanta City Council concerns, says executive director

September 16th, 2024

Moki Macias, executive director of Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative, sits in the WABE studio for an episode of Closer Look. — Moki Macias, who serves as the executive director of Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD), was a guest on Monday’s edition of “Closer Look.” (LaShawn Hudson/WABE)

Updated at 5:17 p.m.

Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD), a nonprofit that launched in 2017, helps people experiencing extreme poverty, substance abuse and mental health disorders through diversion efforts and wraparound services. However, some Atlanta City Council members are questioning the leadership and operations of the nonprofit.

Moki Macias, who serves as the executive director of PAD, was a guest on Monday’s edition of “Closer Look.” Macias told show host Rose Scott that PAD works to prevent arrests by creating different, yet positive pathways. She said that one of the reasons PAD exists is so that 911 won’t be overwhelmed with calls.

During the conversation, Macias spoke about the success of PAD and its soon-to-open 24/7 resource center at the Atlanta City Detention Center. She also addressed council member concerns and talked about a $270,000 funding gap that’s due to PAD’s pending contract with the City of Atlanta.