Advertisement

Early results in on Pinellas pre-arrest diversion program

 
Published Feb. 23, 2017

A Pinellas Sheriff's Office report released last week summarizing the first quarter of the Adult Pre-Arrest Diversion program showed that 179 people have completed it since the start date in October.

The program is designed so offenders who commit low-level crimes such as marijuana possession, battery and criminal mischief can avoid arrest by completing community service hours and, in some cases, paying restitution. Police departments are also participating.

A total of 1,040 people were screened to participate, according to the report. Out of those, 632 people, or about 61 percent, were found ineligible, the majority because they had a felony conviction in the last five years or misdemeanor in the last two.

The other 408 were accepted. Possession of marijuana and retail theft made up most offenses at 61 percent.

When examined by race, 68 percent were white, 22 percent black, 8 percent Hispanic and about 1 percent each for Asian and unknown. Of those who completed the program, about three-quarters were white and 15 percent were black.