Atlanta committee backs resolution to boost diversion use, asks APD for monthly reporting

Chair Andrea Boone opened the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee meeting on Feb. 23, 2026, where the committee advanced a substitute resolution asking the Atlanta Police Department to align enforcement with city policy favoring pre-arrest diversion and to report monthly on diversion metrics.

The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Kelsey Bond and substituted by the committee, asks APD to examine procedures so diversion is the default for eligible low-level offenses, encourages use of citations and community-based diversion in lieu of custodial arrests, and requests regular transparency on diversion trends. The committee voted to move the substitute forward with three yeas and one abstention.

Why it matters: Multiple speakers — including Fulton County Commission Chairman Rob Pitts, health care providers and advocacy groups — warned that Fulton County Jail is overcrowded and that Atlanta’s Center for Diversion Services is underused. Pitts told the committee the diversion center was built to handle roughly 40 arrestees daily but “so far, to date, the average has been about 3 per day” and urged the council to support legislation to increase diversion usage. Advocates argued fuller use of diversion could reduce intake to the Fulton County Jail and help the city avoid court-ordered population limits tied to a federal consent decree.

Public testimony emphasized health and fiscal consequences. ‘‘Incarceration does not help people with mental illness to get better,’’ said Dr. Belinda McIntosh, a general adult psychiatrist, arguing that diversion connects people to counseling, psychiatric treatment, housing and employment resources instead of jail. Michael Collins, director of Playfair ATL, cited a federal consent-decree report and said diversion is among the fastest, safest and most cost-effective tools Atlanta has to reduce unnecessary jail bookings ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

APD provided context on usage and criteria. Deputy Chief Jason Smith told the committee that since the Center for Diversion Services opened APD has diverted 1,424 people overall and is over 200 diversions year-to-date. He explained three conditions for diversion: the person must meet established criteria, provide consent, and not have an active warrant; in addition, the victim must agree if their preferences require pressing charges. Smith reiterated that officers and CDS staff have trained together and that CDS staff have conducted roll-call visits and site tours to promote familiarity.

Council members pressed for clarity and follow-up. Antonio Lewis noted a funding detail — saying the city’s contribution to the diversion center is $2.9 million — and asked APD to share training hours and the board membership of the Justice Policy Board that sets diversion criteria. Vice Chair Wayne Martin asked APD to return at the next meeting with diversion criteria and an overview of standard operating procedures to clarify when and how diversion is offered.

What passed and next step: The substitute resolution (26 R3234) was approved by the committee to advance to full council with recorded support and direction for monthly reporting. Committee members also voted on a slate of consent and ordinance items during the session; several passed unanimously, and two items were held in committee at sponsor request.

Votes at a glance - Agenda adopted: motion by Antonio Lewis; vote 4–0. - Minutes approved: motion by Antonio Lewis; vote 4–0. - Consent and claims items: approved 4–0. - Ordinance SP-1220052 (APD background and recruitment automation; amendment/extension): approved 4–0; amount not to exceed $108,500 for 02/02/2026–02/01/2027. - Ordinance 2601148 (packaged store distance exemption at 1675 Memorial Drive SE): approved 4–0. - Ordinance creating temporary South Downtown open-container district (substitute): held at sponsor request. - Resolution 26 R3234 (diversion reporting substitute): committee voted to forward with 3 yeas, 1 abstention.

The committee expects APD to return with detailed diversion criteria and SOPs at a future meeting and the substituted resolution will go to full council for consideration.