Fugitive Safe Surrender Program comes to Trumbull and Columbiana - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

WARREN, Ohio - It's a real opportunity for a second chance, and the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program is coming to Trumbull and Columbiana counties next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 26th through the 28th.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's office sponsors and coordinates the program and they members of his team hit the streets on Thursday passing out flyers and talking to residents in an effort to get the word out about the program. They encouraged anyone with a non-violent felony or misdemeanor warrant to voluntarily surrender to authorities.

Fugitive Safe Surrender Coordinator Jeffrey Oleksiak said, "We do allow violent offenders to turn themselves in, but it does increase the odds that those individuals would likely have to be taken into custody once they surrender. Typically, we ask for non-violent because it lowers those odds that those people would have to be taken into custody. Our goal is really to adjudicate and resolve as many of the warrants on-site as we can without having to over crowd the jails."

Anyone turning themselves in will need to report to the surrender point or designated church in the county where the offense occurred. If possible, you should bring some form of identification. If you don't have a driver's license, you can bring a Social Security card, state ID card, military ID or Medicare/Medicaid card. But you may still turn yourself in even if you have no form of ID.

It's estimated that more than 8,000 people in Trumbull and Columbiana counties have outstanding warrants for crimes that include drug possession, theft, non-payment of child support and traffic offenses. Fugitive Safe Surrender allows offenders to turn themselves in and make a fresh start.

Columbiana County Sheriff Ray Stone tells 21 News, "If you do for instance have an outstanding traffic warrant, we're going to have the Department of Motor Vehicles there and they will be able to assist the person and tell them what they need to do to get their license back."

There will also be social service agencies on-site like Job and Family Services, mental health counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, veteran's services, as well as the BMV and childcare for those who need it.

Two churches in both counties will serve as the surrender points where offenders can consult with an attorney, and go before a judge, hopefully resolving their trouble with the law.

Reverend Rick Oaks from First United Methodist Church of Warren welcomes the program, "We were excited about doing the program here because of what it offers folks. It's always been a comfortable space for people who are looking for a second chance."

The program runs July 26th through July 28th, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Warren in Trumbull County, and the Lisbon Church of the Nazarene in Columbiana County.

The program will also be held in Mahoning County in late September. The exact date will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information you can also call: 1-877-647-8773.