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Pittsburgh to Develop Pre-arrest Diversion Program for Those Who Commit Low-level Crimes

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto
Joe DeStio/ KDKA Radio

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The City of Pittsburgh announced that it will develop a program that would help people who commit low-level crimes caused by behavioral health issues, which include crimes related to mental health, poverty and substance abuse.

Utilizing funds from the Allegheny County Health Department's Overdose Data to Action CDC grant, the city will work with CONNECT to create a publih health focused program aimed at keeping individuals out of the criminal justice system and referring those with high police engagement, especially in crimes of poverty, to social services. In addition, the program would be harm reduction based.


"We know that cycling people through the criminal justice system does not improve outcomes. Our goal is to continue to work with the community, county partners, public safety, and CONNECT to interrupt this cycle by implementing public health-informed practices like diversion," Mayor William Peduto said.

Zone 1 will be the pilot for the endeavor with hopes to expand the program throughout the city.

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