The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is conducting their second Operation Safe Surrender event on Saturday, September 7, 2019 from 9 AM to 12 PM. Operation Safe Surrender is an opportunity for individuals with active warrants for non-violent offenses to resolve the warrant by either accepting a new court date, or other means.
Sergeant Brandon Cox says that the most non-violent misdemeanor offenses qualify, however recommends that those interested contact the Warrants Section to be certain. The possibility exists that such cases can be dismissed or dropped, or a new court date issued. “It gives (people) the opportunity in a secure, non-confrontational way to take care of those cases, without having (the warrant) hanging over their heads or putting law enforcement officers in danger.”
With respect to the safety of law enforcement officers, the program was instituted in 2005, in Cleveland, Ohio, by U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott. After losing a fellow officer in June of 2000, Elliott designed the program in hopes that fewer law enforcement officers would be hurt or killed in the line of duty.
DO:
Contact the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Section at 352-797-3654 to find out if you qualify, and other information you may need
Bring a valid photo ID
Bring money. Fines and/or fees may be reduced and collected at the event
DO NOT:
Bring weapons
Bring children
The last Safe Surrender event was in 2017, however Sergeant Cox stated that it could become an annual event, or even more frequent. “We’ve ultimately got to build the trust of the citizens … this is a true event. We’re not trying to be sneaky.”
During the 2017 Operation Safe Surrender, 23 individuals (13 males,10 females) participated. One warrant could not be resolved, as it was from Pasco County, and that individual was arrested and taken into custody.
2017 Statistics:
22 Warrants Recalled
14 Failure to Appear Warrants
4 Violation of Probation Warrants
1 Child Support Warrant
1 Plea Deal Accepted
2 Warrants Dismissed
1 Pasco County Warrant Served (Hernando County is unable to dissolve or dismiss warrants from other jurisdictions)
