EFFORTS TO REDUCE PROPERTY CRIMES IN SANTA FE COULD SOON INCLUDE A DIVERSION TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS WHO HAVE DRUG ADDICTION ISSUES.
POLICE SPOKESWOMAN CELINA WESTERVELT TELLS US THE PLAN WOULD BE MODELED AFTER ONE NOW IN PLACE IN SEATTLE. SHE SAYS THEY HOPE THAT BY TREATING THE DRUG ADDICTION, THEY CAN KEEP THESE PEOPLE OUT OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, CURB THEIR DRUG AND CRIME HABITS, AND ALSO REDUCE PROPERTY CRIMES.
IT'S ESTIMATED THE DIVERSION PROGRAM COULD SAVE THE CITY OF SANTA FE CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
