Custom Search

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Hennepin County says ramped-up hunt for fugitives is warranted

Please click onto the COMMENTS for the story.

posted by Bob at Wednesday, December 23, 2009

4 Comments:

Anonymous Tribune said...

If you have an outstanding warrant, police say you would be smart to have yourself an honest little Christmas: Come downtown and turn yourself in.

By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune

Last update: December 23, 2009 - 12:44 AM

If you've been naughty this year by dodging a Hennepin County arrest warrant, Sheriff Rich Stanek offered some holiday advice Tuesday: Turn yourself in, post bail, get a court date and be out in time for Christmas dinner.

If you don't, Stanek says, extra warrant-clearing deputies on duty the rest of the year just may go over the river, through the woods, and haul you out of grandmother's house in handcuffs.

Yes, Stanek issued a news release suggesting that accused scofflaws show up for a Yuletide booking. This prompted the obvious questions: "Are you serious? Who would do that?"

Stanek's answer: People who know what's good for them.

"This way you get to control your destiny a little bit better than if the cops come, put you in handcuffs and the back of a squad car and take you downtown," he said. "The second way is if we go out to your mom's house, your sister's house, your ex-girlfriend's house, and they're gonna get tired of it because we're relentless. We'll hunt you down."

Stanek said "significant" extra resources will be shifted to 18-member warrant unit as part of "Operation Year End Clearance," a sweep expected to last until the new year. Lists of the warrants also will be sent to police departments around the metro area, along with a request for assistance in clearing them as time permits.

12:01 PM  
Anonymous Story continued said...

While more than 30,000 warrants have been served in Hennepin County this year, 17,000 were outstanding -- meaning a person has not responded to the charges --as of November. About 5,200 are felony warrants, about 2,500 are for gross misdemeanor offenses, and about 9,000 for misdemeanors.

The sweep will focus on warrants for sexual predators; people accused of "livability crimes" such as vandalism and disorderly conduct, and those wanted for crimes that affect public safety, such as domestic violence and driving while intoxicated.

Not sure whether you are a fugitive? Visit the Sheriff's Office warrant unit at 350 S. 5th St., Minneapolis, during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Bring identification. No, you cannot call ahead to find out. Know a fugitive? Call 1-888-988-TIPS.

Stanek said those who surrender will have to go through the 5-6 hour booking process and arrange for payment of their bail.
The advantage for them is that they can plan for the inconvenience and control when it happens, he said, adding that most people find a surprise arrest rather inconvenient, not to mention embarrassing.

Plus, if that arrest occurs during a traffic stop, the person's vehicle will most likely be impounded, he said.
The sheriff suggested that fugitives stop by before midnight on regular business days, if they prefer to appear in court the following day -- and possibly get out of jail faster.

Stanek said his department has conducted similar warrant sweeps earlier this year and in previous years. But this is the first time in many years that fugitives have first been invited to show up. Time will tell how successful the approach will be, but Stanek said that after the story was posted on startribune.com Tuesday morning, officials noticed more people than usual coming to the warrant counter to face the music.
He said the sweep wasn't timed to happen during the holidays but rather to winnow the list of outstanding warrants by the end of the year.

Still, he said he hopes the holiday spirit will inspire people to submit to justice for their outstanding DWIs, disorderly conducts and trespasses -- perhaps as they forgive those who trespass against them.

"Given the time of year, people are feeling mighty good," Stanek said. "Maybe they'll do the right thing."

Staff writer Paul Walsh contributed to this story.

Abby Simons • 612-673-4921

12:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Turn yourself in today and sit in the hole for at least 6 - 8 hours.
That will be a Merry Christmas.
It's the DWI people that will make the hole time longer.

8:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just come on down to see if you have a warrant? Do they think people are stupid or what?

12:10 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home