Safe surrender programs set

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Fugitives in Trumbull and Columbiana counties with warrants charging them with nonviolent crimes will be given the opportunity to peacefully turn themselves in to authorities later this month.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office will sponsor Fugitive Safe Surrender programs simultaneously in Columbiana and Trumbull counties.

The Fugitive Safe Surrender program provides an opportunity for adults with outstanding, nonviolent warrants to turn themselves in to authorities in a peaceful, faith-based environment.

The Trumbull County event will be at First United Methodist Church of Warren on North Park Avenue in Warren. The Columbiana County event will be at Lisbon Church of the Nazarene on North Market Street in Lisbon.

Fugitives with nonviolent misdemeanors and low- level felonies can turn themselves in at either location between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. July 26, 27 and 28. A secular surrender location also will be available, but the location wasn’t announced.

Fugitives should turn themselves in in the county where their warrant was issued.

Authorities in Trumbull County estimate that they have approximately 5,000 outstanding, nonviolent warrants. In Columbiana County, the estimate is around 3,000 warrants.

“There are currently over 8,000 outstanding warrants on record in Trumbull and Columbiana counties, situations that could lead to unnecessary confrontations between offenders and law enforcement. ... Fugitive Safe Surrender has potential to have a tremendous positive impact and make these communities a safer place for families and law enforcement,” said DeWine.

In October, a Fugitive Safe Surrender event in Mansfield resulted in the voluntary surrender of 121 people. More than 180 warrants were cleared over the four-day period, and one person was incarcerated.

A Fugitive Safe Surrender program for Mahoning County is being planned for September.