Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Board of Commissioners - District 1
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All Districts
A Resolution Asking for The DeKalb County Police Department to Develop a Diversion Policy Regarding Unhoused Individuals that Considers Other Options to Arresting and Jailing Them.
Body
Information Contact: Commissioner Robert Patrick
Phone Number: 404-371-3052
PURPOSE:
To approve a Resolution for DeKalb County Police Department to not arrest and jail unhoused individuals for sleeping in public spaces and to instead send them to a diversion program to get the assistance they need
NEED/IMPACT:
In light of the June 2024 US Supreme Court ruling that it is constitutional to arrest homeless people in public spaces and Georgia’s Senate Bill 63 where homeless individuals are likely to be arrested for trespassing, jailing this vulnerable population may not be the right solution to address an exacerbating crisis. When appropriate, this population should be sent to a diversion program that will help to assist them with the help they need.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
To approve the above referenced Resolution and to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents for implementation of the ordinance