News

Published on: 7/10/2017

The York County Sheriff's Office will conduct Operation Safe Surrender, a countywide initative encouraging people with outstanding arrest warrants to voluntarily turn themselves in at a safe, neutral and faith-based setting.

Sheriff Richard Keuerleber released details on the operation last month during a news conference on the steps of the York County Judicial Center.

Operation Safe Surrender is a coordinated effort on behalf of the Sheriff's office, District Attorney’s office, Public Defender’s office and other court agencies and community groups.

A secondary focus of this is based on re-entry programs for non-violent offenders who want to make positive life changes.

The aftercare aspect, coordinated with LifePath Christian Ministries, will offer resources for work placement, job training, medical treatment, food, clothing and housing. These are all hurdles that can trigger a person to reoffend or have their warrants reissued. In addition to handling warrants, Safe Surrender helps people get back on their feet and contribute to society.

Matthew Carey, the executive director at LifePath, said prospective residents were avoiding his ministry when they found out he was running their names through an arrest warrant database.

"We were able to identify the reason people weren't coming in," Carey said. "Some were behind on child support payments. I wanted to address this. We don't want this to be over your head."

Carey wants to advocate in the courts for people who need help with their warrants. "We're helping you address this instead of hiding from it," he said.

Operation Safe Surrender will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 24 and 25 at York City Campus Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene, 350 Chestnut St., York.

For questions about this initiative, please contact the York County Sheriff’s Office at 717-771-2496 or 717-699-2701.