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Posted: Saturday, 07 November 2009 12:39PM
Large Turnout for Newark 'Safe Surrender' Program
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NEWARK, NJ (AP) -- Hundreds of people were waiting in line Saturday to turn themselves in under a "Fugitive Safe Surrender'' program being held in Newark.
It was the fourth and final day for the program, which gives those with outstanding warrants for nonviolent offenses the chance to resolve their legal problems, usually without going to jail.
Officials say 1,455 people were processed at Bethany Baptist Church during the first three days. And about 1,000 were waiting in line there as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Cases were processed at the church, then referred to a judge sitting at a location nearby. Authorities say Essex County, which includes Newark, had about 9,000 fugitives who qualified for the program.
More than 2,200 people turned themselves in during a similar operation in Camden last year.
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