SAN ANTONIO, Texas — San Antonio will launch a six-month pilot program in early 2027 to divert some people accused of low-level, nonviolent offenses to mental health or substance-use treatment instead of sending them directly to jail.
The City Council approved about $638,000 for the program Thursday. Officials expect the pilot to help reduce overcrowding at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center while connecting eligible offenders with treatment sooner.
The Public Safety Committee advanced the proposal last week after an ad hoc committee led from Councilwoman Teri Castillo and County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez studied the current arrest and detention system with the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS).
The pilot will focus on people arrested downtown for non-residential criminal trespass or non-residential theft involving less than $100 who also have identified mental health or substance-use needs.
MEDCOM, a division of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, will conduct medical screenings to determine whether individuals need treatment.
Eligible detainees can choose treatment or proceed to jail. Those who enter the program will receive treatment at CHCS’ Josephine Recovery Center, which will dedicate 15 beds to the pilot.
“We were looking at the most low-level, non-violent offenses we could try,” Acting Police Chief Jesse Salame told the Public Safety Committee last week.
Salame said many people arrested for criminal trespass remain in jail for extended periods while awaiting processing.
Staff will target 14-day treatment stays, followed with services for up to three months.
The city will use about $638,000 from the West Side Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, which funds projects with property tax revenue generated in the area.
The city’s contribution represents one-third of the pilot’s $1.9 million cost. Bexar County and University Health will each provide an equal share of the remaining funding.
