Fugitive Safe Surrender Chester, Pennsylvania – September 30-October 3, 2009
The
White Rock Christian Church in Chester, Pennsylvania, was the scene
of the most recent
Fugitive Safe
Surrender operation, opening its doors to 447
individuals who took the opportunity to surrender to law enforcement
and help pave the way for a more successful future. Beginning on
Wednesday, September 30th, and continuing through
Saturday, October 3rd, this was the second successful
Fugitive Safe
Surrender undertaken in eastern Pennsylvania, and the
16th nationally. John Patrignani, United States Marshal for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Pastor Edward C. Lilly of
White Rock Christian Church, led the operation, which encouraged
individuals with outstanding warrants to surrender to authorities in
a non-threatening environment. “It was a terrific opportunity for
all the residents of Delaware County to use this resource to turn
themselves in safely, get the warrants that they have cleared up, be
home the same day, and then carry on with their lives,” said Marshal
Patrignani.
One participant, the mother of one-year-old triplets, summed up her
experience at
Fugitive Safe
Surrender Chester, by saying, “I’m going to feel
great knowing I won’t have to watch my back anymore.”
Pastor Lilly pointed out an additional benefit. “We think it’s a
safety net for the community, as well, because we won’t have
officers going out to arrest these people who have warrants.” He
continued, “More than that, it will take a load off people’s
shoulders.”
Reverend Joel McGee, of the nearby Providence Baptist Church, also
was a key player in mobilizing the faith-based community in Chester,
and coordinated much of the grass-roots advertising.
Although 16% of the almost 400 people surveyed expected to be
arrested that day, only 14 individuals (or 1.4% of those who
participated), were taken into custody, predominantly those with
warrants from other jurisdictions. Those arrested included a sex
offender who had failed to register, and had subsequently threatened
the victim, as well. Those with non-violent warrants were typically
given bond, assigned new court dates, and released directly from the
church.
Law enforcement partners included the Chester Police Department, the
Delaware County Courthouse, and Park Police Department, the Delaware
County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware County Adult Probation and Parole,
and Delaware County Juvenile Probation.
Legal team partners within Delaware County included the Court of
Common Pleas, the Magisterial District Courts, the District
Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Domestic
Relations Section of Delaware County.
Additional partners within Delaware County were the CP-District
Court Administrator’s Office, CP-Court Clerk Services,
Pre-Trial/Bail Services Unit, the Office of Judicial Support, the
Department of Community Service, the Office of Court Financial
Services, Children and Youth Services, the Office of the Executive
Director, and the Office of Public Relations.
Crucial technical support was provided by the Delaware County Data
Processing Department and the Pennsylvania Justice Network.
Community partners included the MAB Paint Store, Widener University,
Widener University Law School – Public Interest Resource Center, and
the Widener University Legal Education Institute. Additional
support was provided by City of Chester Mayor Wendell Butler.
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Akron, Ohio
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Camden, New Jersey
- Chester, Pennsylvania
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Cleveland, Ohio
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Columbia, South Carolina
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Detroit, Michigan
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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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Indianapolis, Indiana
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Memphis, Tennessee
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Nashville, Tennessee
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Newark, New Jersey
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Phoenix, Arizona
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Rochester, New York
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Washington D.C.
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Wilmington, Delaware
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Future Expansion
If you have an outstanding
warrant and you wish to surrender to authorities prior to a formal Fugitive Safe Surrender
operation coming to your area, you should
contact your local police department or USMS
district office.
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