Art classes instead of court dates? In low-level cases, Brooklyn DA says yes.
People arrested on low-level misdemeanors in Brooklyn will now have the option to complete a one-day arts course at the Brooklyn Museum instead of ever having to appear in court, thanks to a newly expanded diversion program offered by the Brooklyn District Attorney.
The program — dubbed Project Reset — is funded by the City Council and the de Blasio administration, and is coordinated along with the nonprofit Center for Court Innovation and Brooklyn Justice Initiative. It will expand citywide after a piloted launch in Brooklyn. People accused of crimes such as trespassing and shoplifting will be eligible for the program.
“It helped me avoid the anxiety of having to attend a court date for a mistake I made,” said Jessy Singh, who graduated from the program after being arrested on a low-level misdemeanor. “Programs like this are so important for our communities. As an artist I couldn’t have chosen a better venue … It helped to make me feel human in a system that often criminalizes people for the smallest things.”