(CANTON, Ohio)— Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that 432 people turned themselves in during the Ohio Attorney General's four-day Ohio Fugitive Safe Surrender event in Stark County.
Those who surrendered cleared a total of 369 felony and misdemeanor warrants.
"Those who turned themselves in during this event took responsibility for their actions, and they now have a chance at a new start," said Attorney General DeWine. "With fewer arrest warrants to serve, the streets are also now safer for law enforcement and community members. I am very appreciative of all the work our community partners put into this event to help us make it a success."
The event was held from Wednesday to Saturday at Trinity Gospel Temple in Canton.
The goal of the Ohio Attorney General's Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which has no religious requirement, is to make the community safer for law enforcement and its citizens by allowing those with outstanding, non-violent warrants to resolve them in a neutral environment.
In addition to law enforcement and judges, public defenders were in attendance to provide legal advice to those who surrendered. Other social service providers and community organizations were also on hand to provide guidance, assistance, and day care services, and representatives from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles were present to reinstate the licenses of those who qualified.
Although it was not an amnesty program, judges gave favorable consideration to those who voluntarily turned themselves in during the event, and the majority of those who surrendered were released on the same day after having their cases heard and adjudicated.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has conducted the Ohio Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which was initially started by the U.S. Marshals Service, since 2011. The Stark County event was the Ohio Attorney General's sixth Fugitive Safe Surrender event. More than 2,000 people have surrendered during previous events in Richland, Columbiana, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Summit counties, resulting in 4,219 warrants being cleared.
In addition to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, the following partners are also involved in the Stark County event: Alliance Clerk of Courts Office, Alliance Law Director's Office, Alliance Mayor's Office, Alliance Municipal Court, Canton City Prosecutor's Office, Canton City School District, Canton Clerk of Court’s Office, Canton Municipal Court, Canton Police Department, Case Western Reserve University BEGUN Center for Violence Prevention Research, Chick-fil-A, City of Canton, Clear Channel Outdoor, Fresh Mark, Inc., Frito-Lay North America, Inc., iHeartMedia, Jimmy John's, Malone University, Massillon Clerk of Court’s Office, Massillon Law Director's Office, Massillon Mayor's Office, Massillon Municipal Court, Men’s Challenge, Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County, Nickles Bakery, Inc., Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Pizza Oven, Quest Recovery Services, Inc., Radio-One, SARTA, Stark County Bar Association, Stark County Clerk of Courts, Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Stark County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division, Stark County Court of Common Pleas General Division, Stark County Jobs & Family Services, Stark County Metropolitan Housing Authority, Stark County NAACP, Stark County Prosecutor’s Office, Stark County Public Defender's Office, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Stark County Urban League, Stark Social Workers Network, Stark State College, Trinity Gospel Temple, Walgreens, Walsh University, WEWS-TV, WHBC Radio.
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Media Contacts:
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Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840