At Least 3,000 Turned Themselves in Under 'Safe Surrender'

More than 3,000 people had turned themselves in as of Friday under the “Fugitive Safe Surrender” program, acting state Attorney General John Hoffman said.

Officials expect to have a final tally early this week, a spokesman for Hoffman said Saturday. 

“Nearly 3,000 people decided to stop looking over their shoulders and change their lives this week through the Fugitive Safe Surrender program,” Hoffman said in a statement.  “They joined with the 13,000 individuals who surrendered in New Jersey’s four previous events in realizing that this is, in fact, the best deal around.  For anyone who is undecided about this program, we remind you that tomorrow is the last day of Fugitive Safe Surrender and we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to stop running from the law and turn your life around.”

The event, which began last week and ended Saturday, gave those wanted for non-violent crimes the chance to turn themselves in safely and to receive special consideration from the courts for doing so. Fugitives turned themselves in at Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in Jersey City.