Atlanta’s founding prearrest diversion program is suspending its services in the city of Atlanta after a monthslong contract battle with Mayor Andre Dickens’ administration.
The Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative helps residents experiencing extreme poverty, substance abuse or mental health problems to avoid jail time and connect with community-based resources. The city funnels clients of the initiative through the police department and ATL311 hotline.
But the fate of the program has been unclear since spring, when legislation approving a new multiyear agreement with the city stalled after pressure from the mayor’s office…