Seattle LEAD Program Faces Scrutiny After Analysis Challenges Crime Diversion Results

Seattle’s LEAD program is facing renewed scrutiny after a Washington Policy Center analysis challenged claims surrounding the effectiveness of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program. Originally launched in Seattle and King County, LEAD provides an alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration for certain people involved in the criminal justice system, particularly those dealing with substance abuse. The model has since been replicated in jurisdictions across the country. LEAD co-creator Lisa Daugaard pushes back against criticism of the program and argues that LEAD has produced positive results despite Seattle and Washington’s broader struggles with homelessness, addiction and crime. But We Heart Seattle founder Andrea Suarez offers a sharply different assessment. Suarez describes a recent encounter involving an 18-year-old fentanyl user who she says was prepared to enter treatment before going through the LEAD intake process and leaving after her charges were dropped. With millions of taxpayer dollars supporting diversion programs, critics are now calling for greater scrutiny, independent auditing and a closer examination of whether LEAD is delivering the results supporters have claimed. Watch the full discussion on Washington in Focus Daily. #Seattle #SeattleNews #LEAD #LEADProgram #SeattleCrime #Crime #PublicSafety #DrugCrisis #Fentanyl #Homelessness #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #KingCounty #TaxpayerDollars #CriminalJustice #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WeHeartSeattle #WashingtonInFocus #CenterSquare