Mayor Lee and city leaders announce reentry investments, expand diversion at assessment center

During public announcements at the July 5 meeting, Mayor Edwin Lee and city leaders described expanded investments in diversion and reentry services tied to the Community Assessment Service Center (CASC). Karen Fletcher, Chief Adult Probation Officer, introduced the center as a hub for reentry employment and 24/7 assessment services.

Mayor Lee said the city will invest additional funds over the next two years to expand proven diversion initiatives and supportive services that aim to keep people out of the jail system and provide pathways to employment and treatment. He listed program expansions including law-enforcement-assisted diversion (LEHI/IPO), weekend rebooking pilot programs, increased electronic-monitoring options, and broader pretrial diversion services available at the CASC. "We have an opportunity to save lives," he said, urging a collaborative approach across police, probation, public health and community organizations.

Supervisor London Breed, Sheriff Vicki Hennessy and community partners including Shamon Walton endorsed the investments and highlighted complementary services such as case management, mental-health and substance-abuse treatment, and job-training programs targeted at individuals who cycle through low-level justice involvement. Shamon Walton cited outcomes from workforce and subsidized-employment programs that, he said, led to sustained employment for many participants.

City leaders framed these efforts as alternatives to incarceration intended to reduce recidivism and improve long-term outcomes for residents affected by the justice system. No formal commission action was required for the announcements; they were presented as part of public outreach and cross-agency coordination.