Federal, state and local law enforcement officials will announce today in New Jersey that fugitives from justice will be offered an opportunity to turn themselves in and face less risk of going to jail, reports the Newark Star-Ledger.
As many as 6,000 fugitives from across New Jersey are expected to turn themselves at a Newark Baptist church between Nov. 4 and Nov. 7, making it one of the largest operations of its kind in the nation, officials said.
More than 50 agencies — representing law enforcement, government, education, health care and community outreach — will take part in the initiative. Fugitives from Union and Essex counties are targeted, but no one will be turned away, officials said. Roughly 9,000 people have outstanding warrants involving criminal offenses in Essex County alone, and Union County has more than 1,000 people with warrants.