SYRACUSE -- Operation Safe Surrender got underway Friday as dozens of people with outstanding arrest warrants appeared voluntarily at the Criminal Courthouse in Syracuse.
Police spokesman Tom Connellan says 150 warrants were cleared out as 128 people turned themselves in. Among them was Rich Campbell who had an arrest warrant issued for a past DWI. Campbell told CNY Central that a load had been lifted from his shoulders, "because I've been carrying it for a few years now."
Operation Safe Surrender gives people an opportunity to voluntarily turn themselves in, get a break on bail and perhaps avoid jail. For the past month law enforcement, religious and community leaders have been publicizing the event with ads, posters and fliers.
Some people, including Helen Hudson of Mothers Against Gun Violence even took the message to the streets. "This is an opportunity for you to come in, clear it up without having to go through jail, getting arrested, the whole gamut. Why wouldn't you?" she asked
Operation Safe Surrender may give people a break to stay out of jail, but it is not to be confused with an amnesty program.
Judge Ted Limpert had his hands full with one arraignment after another. "It's not an amnesty at all." Limpert emphasized, "They still have to deal with the underlying charges...but it avoids the embarrassment of having the warrant squad come knock on your door in the middle of the night."
Operation Safe Surrender ends Saturday. The courthouse will be open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.. Then warrants squads will fan out across Onondaga County according to Sergeant John Savage of the Syracuse Police Department. "I can guarantee you if you don't come in and take care of these warrants on your own...we're coming to look for you." he promised.
Officials point out that it doesn't matter if the crime is a felony or a minor traffic violation. Once an arrest warrant is issued, it doesn't go away until you show up in court, either on your own or in handcuffs.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
Operation Safe Surrender got underway Friday at the Criminal Courts Building in Syracuse.
Authorities are offering an opportunity for people with outstanding warrants to turn themselves in voluntarily. In exchange, prosecutors and judges will provide greater leeway in setting bail so many suspects could avoid jail time.
Officials say there are 6,400 active warrants in Onondaga County and see a need to clear out a growing backlog of cases. Those warrants can be found on the Syracuse Police Department's web site: www.syracusepolice.org.
Since Operation Safe Surrender was announced last month, there's been a multi-media campaign of television spots, posters and fliers to publicize the program.
The Criminal Courts Building will be open from noon until 6:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday to process those who turn themselves in.
Beginning next week, law enforcement will step up its campaign to capture people with outstanding warrants.
