Atlanta is often recognized as a leader in Black excellence and leadership and continues to enjoy status as a Black Mecca. But instead of keeping up the appearance of a caring community, city leaders should take action and prioritize a time-tested program that keeps our families and communities safe. Atlanta’s Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) is a program that provides pre-arrest diversion services and needed resources to people in the community who are experiencing extreme poverty, substance abuse, or mental health crises. PAD plays a critical role in keeping people out of jail unnecessarily and is also a trusted asset that utilizes community-focused strategies to advance health and safety.
Nearly ten years ago, before public safety became a national conversation, community leaders, legal system partners and elected officials in Atlanta built PAD as a national modelfor policing alternatives and diversion. Now, the initiative that received immense support and investments from the City of Atlanta is in …