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South Pasadena police describe pre‑arrest youth diversion and partnership with Flintridge Center
Summary
Police presented a pre‑booking diversion program for 12‑ to 17‑year‑olds, saying most referrals avoid further justice involvement and that South Pasadena signed a memorandum of agreement last month to send youth to the Flintridge Center in Pasadena.
South Pasadena police described a pre‑booking youth diversion program aimed at adolescents ages 12 to 17 and said the city signed a memorandum of agreement to participate last month.
The presentation, given by Chief Brian Solinski of the South Pasadena Police Department, explained the program excludes youth charged with violent offenses specified under Welfare and Institutions Code section 707(b) — Solinski cited robbery, murder and arson as examples — but allows law enforcement discretion to recommend other cases for diversion.
Solinski said the approach uses law enforcement’s case knowledge to match youth to services and to avoid steering juveniles into the formal justice system. “Data shows that 8 out of 10 youth who are referred into the program never go back into the legal system,” Solinski said. He described the program as intended to reach youth “early” and to reduce long‑term recidivism.
The chief said youth referred from South Pasadena will go to the Flintridge Center in Pasadena, which contracts with Los Angeles County and offers counseling, mental‑health linkage and mentorship. He said Flintridge Center and South Pasadena will share monthly statistics: the city will track referrals and Flintridge will track completions, and the city will be the agency that seals juvenile records for successful participants.
Commissioners asked about parental consent and whether participation becomes a reportable event for applications such as colleges or bar exams. Solinski said parental buy‑in is normally sought and that the program is voluntary when recommended: “It is not a reportable event,” he said, adding that, after completion, South Pasadena will seal records so participation will not appear on future criminal‑history inquiries.
In discussion commissioners and members of the public praised the program as a prevention tool. Solinski characterized the presentation as informational and said staff will return with follow‑up reporting on usage and outcomes; he said the city expects a six‑month pilot report and then an annual update.
