The Downtown Emergency Services (DESC) crisis center is to ostensibly serve as a crisis support center for 46 individuals who are severe substance abusers or who are severely mentally unstable, most of who have committed a variety of criminal offenses. The center will have two units: the Crisis Diversion Facility (CDF) and the Crisis Diversion Interim Service (CDIS). The CDF will have 16 beds to house individuals who are diverted primarily from jail systems across the county in lieu of serving jail time. The CDIS will have 30 beds for up to 14-day stays of individuals who are released from for the CDF but remain homeless. Department of corrections vehicles, police cars, and other first responder vehicles are expected to deliver individuals to the facility, which will be open 24-hours seven days a week.

The majority of DESC’s clients at the CDF and CDIS will be individuals who have committed a criminal offense and are deemed unstable or experiencing some level of behavioral crisis. According to documents obtained through King County’s Public Records, the following list of offenses are eligible for placement at the CDF and CDIS:

• Criminal Trespass II
• Theft under $50
• Malicious Mischief under $50
• Unlawful bus conduct
• Failure to appear/respond (court summons)
• Disorderly conduct
• Obstructing
• Resisting arrest
• Use of Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of Marijuana
• Prostitution
• Alcohol in a park
• NVOL (no valid operator's license)
• Furnishing liquor to minor
• Minor in possession of alcohol
• Minor frequenting tavern or lounge
• Unlawful issuance of bank checks
• Prostitution
• Patronizing a prostitute
• Loitering for Purposes of Prostitution
• Possess fraudulent driver's license
• Failure to obey
• Theft of rental property

In addition to the listed misdemeanor crimes, the CDF and CDIS may be willing to accept individuals who have committed felony level crimes that consist of the following: