Blue Collar Muse

A week and a half ago, I posted on the upcoming Fugitive Safe Surrender program, set to begin in Nashville August 1st and continue through the 4th.

It’s a novel, and hugely successful, program dreamed up by Peter Elliott, US Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio. Several years ago, a police officer and Elliott family friend, Officer Wayne Leon was murdered when he pulled over a fugitive during a traffic stop who came out shooting.

Reflecting on the incident, and thousands like it repeated annually across the country, Elliott hit upon the idea that would become Fugitive Safe Surrender. Realizing that most fugitives don’t trust the police all that much, Elliott also realized they likely trusted the church more. Fugitive Safe Surrender is a blending of the two.

Thus, here in Nashville, from August 1st to the 4th,

Galilee Baptist Church, 2021 Herman Street, will be transformed into a make-shift courthouse from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. during those days, complete with judges, prosecutors, and assistant public defenders. Non-violent offenders (U.S. citizens) wanted in Davidson County who surrender at the church and accept responsibility for their actions stand a good chance of clearing up their warrant(s) on the spot without going to jail. No gimmicks, no tricks.

“Persons on the run because of a criminal warrant in Nashville have put themselves and their loved ones in danger,” Chief Ronald Serpas said. “This program affords offenders an excellent opportunity in a neutral setting to take care of business and get back on the right path.”

FSS is addressing a real problem faced by law enforcement. There are currently about 1.2 million fugitives on outstanding warrants in the US. Nashville alone has almost 40,000! Tracking these fugitives down intentionally or running across them randomly in a traffic stop can be humiliating and embarrassing at best and deadly at worst. FSS makes it safer and more dignified for everyone involved.

The pastor of the church hosting the very first FSS, Dr. C. Jay Matthews of Cleveland’s Mt. Sinai Baptist Church reported

“My new law enforcement partners told me that a four-day fugitive sweep across our area with 100 officers would typically result in 40 felony arrests,” said Dr. Matthews. “We had eight times that many people wanted for felony crimes turn themselves in peacefully – with no danger to our neighborhoods, the officers or the fugitives themselves. With these results, I’m confident that Fugitive Safe Surrender didn’t end on August 6. It’s just beginning.”

Akron, OH held the 4th ever FSS earlier this month. They had 1,120 surrenders which helped the program celebrate its 3,000th surrender. Akron’s fugitives included one man who had been on the run for almost 7 years. Christian Smith was wanted on both drug and traffic warrants. He fled Akron, ending up in Atlanta where he found a good job and left his old life behind. But he constantly worried he would be discovered. Said Smith,

“I have not been able to sleep since 2000, now that I am clear, I know I can rest.” Three hours after Smith walked into the House of the Lord, he exited with a new life and a clean record.

Nashville will be the 5th US city to host a Fugitive Safe Surrender. Denny King, US Marshal for the Middle District of Tennessee, heard about the program and brought it to Chief Serpas and District Attorney General Torry Johnson who quickly agreed it would be good for Nashville.

The program’s success has attracted some serious attention. In July of 2006, Congress got involved. They allocated funds to enable the program to expand. As noted in CBS Evening News video from just last night, Peter Elliott was recently named a TOP COP by NAPO, The National Association of Police Organizations. He gave the award to Wayne Leon’s widow.

If you need directions to the Nashville FSS location or a number for more information, here they are:

The Galilee Baptist Church is located at the intersection of 21st Avenue North and Herman Street, close to the Meharry Medical College.

Traveling west on I-40, exit at 28th Avenue North. Turn left on 28th Avenue North to Herman Street. Turn left on Herman Street, which is the first traffic light. Proceed to the church on the right.

Traveling east on I-40, exit at Jefferson Street. Turn right on Jefferson Street, then right on 21st Avenue North. Proceed to the church at the intersection of Herman Street and 21st Avenue North.

Hotline number: (615) 256-SAFE [7233]

Law Enforcement agencies wishing more information can contact Marshal Elliott directly at the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (216) 276-5855.

Many thanks to Metro Police Spokesman Don Aaron and his office for invaluable help in pointing me to the resources I needed for this post.

Thinking this is the sort of thing we all envision when we see “To Protect and Serve” …

Blue Collar Muse

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 at 4:00 am and is filed under Law Enforcement, Nashville Nuggets. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.