SO, WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE?

POLICING ALTERNATIVES & DIVERSION INITIATIVE

Residents of Atlanta, in the state of Georgia, can now dial 311 instead of 911 if they feel the need to call someone when a person is panhandling or looking for food and shelter, but don’t want to call the cops.

Calls are received by a referral coordinator from the Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD), who dispatches a two-person team of harm reduction specialists. The team brings food and hygiene items and speaks to the person who prompted the call to gauge their interest in receiving support.

Through partnerships with the city, county and other nonprofits, PAD aims to divert people away from jail and toward resources. Instead of being traumatized, they are connected to options for temporary and permanent housing, recovery services and physical and mental healthcare. Currently, PAD operates on weekdays between 7.00am and 7.00pm – but by the end of 2022 will be assisting with a 24-hour diversion centre in Southwest Atlanta.

PAD’s workers envision systemic change while enacting material change for our most