Fugitive Safe Surrender

Las Cruces, New Mexico – July 28-31, 2010   Public Service Announcement

The development of Fugitive Safe Surrender in Las Cruces was launched under the stewardship of Gorden E. Eden, Jr., United States Marshal for New Mexico. Marshal Eden has worked with government, corporate, non-profit, and faith-based sector partners to lay the groundwork for a successful Fugitive Safe Surrender operation in Las Cruce, New Mexico. That four-day surrender period has been set for Wednesday, July 28, to Saturday, July 31, 2010. The doors will be open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary located at 1240 S. Espina Street, in Las Cruces.  FSS Information Flyer   Spanish Version

Father Sean Garrity of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary has agreed to serve as the faith-based leader of Fugitive Safe Surrender-Las Cruces, and will host the surrender days at the Cathedral.

Target individuals for this initiative include those with outstanding warrants issued in New Mexico, regardless of the originating county or local jurisdiction. In most cases, those with non-violent offenses will be able to meet with an attorney, see a judge, and have their cases adjudicated on-site at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. However, individuals with warrants for serious or violent offenses may also surrender in the safe confines of the church.

Over 26,000 people have surrendered in the 18 Fugitive Safe Surrender operations since its inception in August 2005, for an average of almost 370 people a day. Las Cruces is hosting the 19th Fugitive Safe Surrender operation nationwide, the first in New Mexico, and only the second in the Southwest. Organizers are hopeful that this initiative, like the many that have preceded it around the country, will be successful and have a positive impact on the community.

There are no religious requirements, and a secular surrender site is available.

In addition to the U.S. Marshals Service, other government organizations and agencies participating in FSS-Las Cruces include the following: United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance; City of Las Cruces; Doña Ana County; Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albuquerque Division; Las Cruces Municipal Court ; Las Cruces Police Department; New Mexico Corrections Department - Probation and Parole Division; New Mexico Magistrate Courts; New Mexico Public Defender Department; Silver City Police Department; Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office; Third Judicial District Court; and the White Sands Missile Range – Directorate of Emergency Services.

Corporate partners include the following: Action Equipment Rental; America’s Most Wanted; Athletic Outfitters; Bravo Mic Communications, LLC; Grandy’s; KFOX-TV; Las Cruces Sun-News; Newman Outdoor Advertising, Inc.; Radio of Las Cruces; Roberto’s Mexican Food; Sally’s Cop Shop; and Tactical Express.

American citizens and legal residents with warrants from New Mexico who wish to surrender, and their loved ones who wish to assist them, are encouraged to call the FSS-Las Cruces hotline at 575-386-4294. To see if you have a warrant in New Mexico, please go to www.NMsafesurrender.org.