PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Philadelphia authorities say nearly 800 fugitives surrendered in the run-up to a planned sweep by U.S. marshals.
District Attorney Lynne Abraham told the Philadelphia Daily News she was pleased with the turnout for the Fugitive Safe Surrender program, which allowed scofflaws to settle petty-theft and drug warrants, usually with probation or community service.
"The effect of having defendants going out and saying, 'Hey, turn yourself in' is just the opposite end of what we thought, which is, 'Hey, don't ever turn yourself in,'" Abraham said.
Fugitives were able to surrender at a South Philadelphia church and dispose of their non-violent cases on the spot rather than turning themselves in at a jail and going through the court system.
The Daily News said federal marshals would hit the streets this week to chase down some of Philly's 60,000 outstanding warrant targets.
