Baltimore to offer those with outstanding warrants 'surrender' deal

People wanted for nonviolent or misdemeanor offenses in Baltimore will get the chance to turn themselves in this June.

The head of Baltimore's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council says the city will hold its first event with the U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Safe Surrender program June 16-19.

People wanted on warrants will be encouraged to turn themselves in at a church in west Baltimore. Those who show up will receive “favorable consideration,” meaning it's unlikely they'll go to jail.

Safe Surrender has been staged in 16 cities. More than 6,000 people turned themselves in at a Detroit event in 2008.

Baltimore police say the city has 42,000 outstanding warrants. The head of the department's Warrant Apprehension Task Force says he's expecting 2,500 people to turn themselves in.

-- Daily Record of Baltimore