Fugitive Safe Surrender Coming to Wilmington

The Fugitive Safe Surrender Program run by the U.S. Marshal's Service is coming to Wilmington, April 29, 30, May 1 and 2.

Fugitive Safe Surrender is a unique, creative, and highly successful, initiative that encourages persons wanted for non-violent felony or misdemeanor crimes to voluntarily surrender to the law in a faith-based or other neutral setting.

In Wilmington the program will operate at the New Destiny Fellowship Church, 906 E. 16th St. This is not an amnesty program but is an effort by law enforcement officials to give fugitives a safe harbor for surrender and processing. Officers and court officials from all four levels of the law (County, City, State, and Federal) will be in place for the four days. In addition there will be representatives of various social services available to aid in restoring people to the community.

Fugitives may find their cases settled in the course of a few hours on any one of the days. Only a small percentage (about 3% overall) have been incarcerated in other cities where the program has been very effective. Most people held for further processing expected their outcome due to the nature of the warrant against them.

The program will need volunteers for a variety of clerical and other chores. In addition there will be a need for people to go along with fugitives to help them find their way through the system. Many people may need simple aid such as filling out forms or getting to the right place for the help they need. Volunteers are an integral part of the success of this program.

Stay tuned for more news and contact information. Tell your friends and neighbors. The more the word is spread around the county and the state the more likely the program is to be successful.

This is an opportunity for many people to find real change in their lives. For us who are not fugitives there is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people on the run. For those hiding from the law there is a chance to move to a new life without constant fear of arrest. The entire community stands to benefit by supporting this program to the fullest extent.

Peace.