The Nashville Metro Police Department (MNPD) will offer a “Safe Surrender” event this week for people with outstanding warrants to turn themselves in as “a special one-time opportunity toward a second chance.”
Nashville Safe Surrender 2023 is planned for Fri & Sat, Dec. 8 & 9, at Galilee Church on Herman St. Non-violent offenders with outstanding arrest warrants can receive favorable consideration. It's a partnership btwn the clergy, MNPD, DA, Pub Defender & the courts. pic.twitter.com/hypriI0NjI
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) November 26, 2023
Men and women in Davidson County wanted on warrants for non-violent crimes, including failure to appear in court, are invited to turn themselves in at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, December 8, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Saturday, December 9, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
“As our community has seen from prior Safe Surrender events, this is a real opportunity for persons to address outstanding warrant issues before the holidays, and relieve themselves and their families of the stress associated with being wanted,” MNPD Chief John Drake said in a statement.
Those who turn themselves in at the church on Friday or Saturday, according to MNPD, will receive “favorable consideration for surrendering, and may be able to go home the same day.”
Reverend William Harris, pastor of Galilee Church who has hosted five safe surrender events over the years, said he is “proud to once again be among the Nashville pastors who will welcome persons coming to the church on December 8 and 9 who truly want a fresh start.”
Individuals who take advantage of MNPD’s Safe Surrender event will be able to speak with an attorney and appear before a judge, either from the Criminal or General Sessions Courts, at the church.
“If you are on the run because of a nonviolent criminal warrant issued here in Davidson County, you put yourself and your loved ones under unneeded stress,” Pastor Michael Joyner added in a video posted to MNPD’s X / Twitter account.
MNPD’s video also featured a man who was “on the run for four years” due to a warrant who surrendered to authorities during last year’s Safe Surrender event and ultimately had his warrant dismissed.
The man said he was “so thankful” he was able to get his warrant “out of the way” as a result of the event.
Last year’s Safe Surrender event saw a total of 56 individuals receive special consideration to begin resolving their outstanding criminal charges, according to MNPD. Those 56 people were named in a total of 76 outstanding warrants. Nearly all who turned themselves in last year during the event were able to go back home the same day, MNPD notes.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
More BS of kissing the butts of criminals.