A diversion program that was created to provide an immediate alternative to arresting people committing violations commonly related to mental health needs, addiction, homelessness or extreme poverty is expanding.
Moki Macias, the executive director of the Policing Alternatives & Diversion (PAD) Initiative, said since the start of the program last year, PAD has received additional funding from the City of Atlanta, conducted listening sessions, conducted a survey as well as reviewed data analysis of arrests and calls of service—and PAD is now expanding to all community Zones in Atlanta.
“Our work exposes on some level, where we need, where there’s more work to do to make sure we that we are building the kind of systems that really serve people,” explained Macias.
Macias along with Chyna Quarker, the referral coordinator for PAD, were guests on Thursday’s edition of “Closer Look.”
They told show host Rose Scott about expanding the program citywide and how the expansion will continue efforts of reimagining public safety and rethinking how poverty is seen and defined.
