What to know about Summit County's first Fugitive Safe Surrender event in a decade

More than 1,100 people who had outstanding warrants turned themselves in during each of three prior Fugitive Safe Surrender events in Summit County.

An event, though, hasn’t been held in a decade, resulting in a backlog of warrants in local courts.

To address this problem, a Fugitive Safe Surrender event will be held this week.

“Fugitive Safe Surrender offers an alternative path that is safer for our officers and those turning themselves in,” said Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree, whose office is organizing the event with help from many other area agencies. “It streamlines the criminal justice process, and it saves taxpayer dollars.”

The event this week will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the House of the Lord Church, 1650 Diagonal Road in Akron.

The church will provide childcare.

The last event in Summit County was held in May 2014 when 1,548 people turned themselves in. During events in 2007 and 2009, 1,125 and 1,350 people, respectively, surrendered.

More: Fugitive surrender program in Akron attracts more than 900 so far

Here’s more information about the event this week, provided by Fatheree, sheriff's spokesman Inspector Bill Holland and the sheriff’s office’s website .

Why has it been so long since an event has been held here?

We were planning an event for the fall of 2020 but COVID-19 caused us to cancel.

Why was the decision made to hold an event in Akron this year?

We have a backlog of warrants due to COVID and it has been a while since we hosted one.

How many people have outstanding felony warrants in Summit County?

There are almost 7,000 warrants through Common Pleas Court and the other county courts (domestic, non-support, etc.)

How many people have outstanding misdemeanor or traffic warrants in the county’s municipal courts?

Akron has 14,283 warrants, while Barberton has 5,270, according to these courts' clerks' offices.

The Stow court has several thousand warrants. Those with warrants from Stow who participate in the Safe Surrender program will have their warrants suspended for seven days to allow them to report to Stow court to resolve the warrant. If they don't report, the warrant will be reactivated, said Jon Turney, Stow's director of probation services.

Is anyone with a felony warrant able to participate, or is it only for certain charges or levels of felonies?

All levels of offenses are eligible to attend.

How will the process work for those who participate?

When a person arrives, they will be screened by security and checked in. We will then determine if they have an active warrant. If not, they will leave. If they do, a file will be created and they will wait in the queue. They will then go through the booking process, be assigned an attorney, and go in front of a judge. They will then be processed for release, or transported to jail in some situations. They will have access to information/services while waiting for processing and after their release.

How long does it typically take?

It will depend on how many people come to the event and when they arrive. People won't make appointments or have scheduled times, so there could be busy times and lulls as well.

Is this an amnesty program?

No, Fugitive Safe Surrender is not an amnesty program. The program offers individuals who want to re-enter the mainstream of their communities a first step toward a second chance in the form of favorable consideration from the court. The handling of criminal charges is decided by the prosecutor and judge, but favorable consideration is typically given in the spirit of the program.

Can people with warrants from other counties besides Summit participate?

We will only be able to process warrants from within the county and participating municipal courts.

Do people need to bring identification or other documents? If so, what?

Yes, driver's license or state ID. (It isn't mandatory, but we would like them to if at all possible).

Will anyone be taken into custody when they surrender?

Yes, there is a possibility of people being taken into custody.

Do you have an estimate of how many people will be taken into custody?

It is a small percentage. In 2009, it was 3.7% or 39 people.

The program is being held at House of the Lord Church. Is there a religious requirement to participate?

There is no religious requirement. Fugitive Safe Surrender utilizes houses of worship due to their connection to the community and because they are a safe, neutral setting.

What agencies besides the sheriff’s office are assisting with the event?

Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, City of Akron Prosecutor’s Office, Summit County Common Pleas Court, Summit County Domestic Relations Court, Summit County Adult Probation, Summit County Department of Public Safety, Summit County Clerk of Courts, Summit Legal Defenders Office, Akron Police Department, Akron Clerk of Courts, Akron Municipal Court, Barberton Municipal Court, City of Barberton Prosecutor's Office, Ohio Attorney General’s Office, and the Akron Bar Association.

How many people are volunteering to help with the event?

There will be over 150 volunteers from the House of the Lord, other local churches, and members of the community.

Will participants be able to get help with restoring their driving privileges?

Yes, many of the people in the past had suspended licenses and were able to address it at the event.

Is a warrant sweep (an attempt to arrest people with outstanding warrants) planned in Summit County after the event, similar to 2014?

No, we don't have any sweeps planned as of now.

Are there plans for future Fugitive Safe Surrender events in Summit County?

We don't have plans for another FSS after this one. We will see how it goes and monitor the number of outstanding warrants.

Where can people get more information about the Fugitive Safe Surrender event?

They can contact our office at 330-643-2114.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com , 330-996-3705 and on X (formerly Twitter): @swarsmithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What to know about Summit County's first Fugitive Safe Surrender event in a decade