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Council updates diversion policy; requires diversion-response timing data
Summary
The council passed CB 121248 to update city enforcement policy for public possession/use of controlled substances and adopted an amendment removing the undefined term 'timely' in favor of requiring recorded response times for diversion providers — a move supporters said will create usable data about so-called 'warm handoffs.'
Council member Kettle, reporting from the public-safety committee, described CB 121248 as a step toward improving outcomes for neighborhoods and people in crisis by strengthening diversion frameworks and data collection.
Council member Rivera sponsored an amendment that removed the undefined word "timely" and instead required officers and diversion service providers to record actual response times and attempts to contact diversion providers so the city can measure whether warm handoffs are occurring. Rivera and other members said the data will inform improvements in coordination and staffing.
The amendment drew one recorded 'no' on its adoption vote but passed; the bill as amended then passed on a unanimous roll-call vote. Council members and committee staff emphasized this is a data-driven approach to evaluate the operation of diversion and related accountability measures.
Public comment during the meeting reflected a split in public views: some speakers criticized LEAD/LEED's reported effectiveness and urged more accountability; others — including LEAD participants and providers — recounted personal successes and urged continued support. Council members asked for ongoing reporting and follow-up to assess diversion effectiveness and identify implementation improvements.
