NJ fugitive surrender program draws 4,000-plus

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • November 9, 2009

NEWARK — Law enforcement officials in northern New Jersey say more than 4,000 people have turned themselves in as part of a fugitive surrender program.

""Fugitive Safe Surrender'' has been held in 16 other U.S. cities since 2005, and last week it was Newark's turn.

The program run by the U.S. Marshals Service aims at getting people with outstanding warrants for nonviolent offenses to turn themselves in instead of living on the run.

During four days last week, just under 4,200 people surrendered at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark.

Most had outstanding warrants for traffic violations and had their cases dismissed or their fines consolidated. But several wound up being arrested on offenses ranging from DUI to armed robbery.

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