Calling all ye fugitives and owners of extra guns and pills: Lay down ye burdens on the Metro Nashville Police Department.
No, but seriously. For today and tomorrow only, the Metro Nashville Police Department is hosting a "fugitive surrender" event at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 2021 Herman Street. Until 5:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, non-violent offenders can come to the church, speak with an attorney and appear before a Davidson County Criminal Court or General Sessions Court judge.
In exchange for surrendering peacefully, law violators "will receive favorable consideration for surrendering and may well get to go home the same day," according to a release from Metro Nashville Police. Those surrendering will also receive a $10 MAPCO gasoline card to help with gas costs.
“This is not a gimmick or a trick,” Chief Steve Anderson said in the release. “We are serious about offering this one-time opportunity for wanted persons to stop looking over their shoulders and clear up outstanding arrest warrants for the benefit of themselves and their families.”
Noelle Yazdani, a communications officer for MNPD, said the department informed the community about fugitive surrender through posters and media releases, which began circulating at the end of August.
On Saturday only, Metro is also taking in guns (no questions asked) in return for a $50 gift card to MAPCO. Outdated or unwanted prescription pills can also be dropped off at the church on either today or Saturday.
The last fugitive surrender day in Nashville was eight years ago. During the four-day Fugitive Safe Surrender Program done in conjunction with a U.S. Marshal's Service project, 561 Nashvillians surrendered at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Seven percent of those people had to be taken to jail because of the seriousness of their crimes, and 20 percent had outstanding felonies.
The "Gift Cards for Guns" program is held annually.
Full release below:
Nearly 100 volunteers will join men and women from Nashville’s justice system Friday and Saturday for a two-day Fugitive Safe Surrender event at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, 2021 Herman Street. The hours are 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.Non-violent persons who are ready to accept responsibility for law violations and come to the church on one of the two days will receive favorable consideration for surrendering and may well get to go home the same day. They will be able to speak with an attorney and appear before a judge, either from the Criminal or General Sessions Courts, at the church. There are no religious requirements.
“This is not a gimmick or a trick,” Chief Steve Anderson said. “We are serious about offering this one-time opportunity for wanted persons to stop looking over their shoulders and clear up outstanding arrest warrants for the benefit of themselves and their families.”
All of those surrendering will receive a $10 MAPCO gasoline card to assist with the transportation expense. Galilee Missionary Baptist Church is also accessible by MTA bus. Persons with questions about their wanted status or who want more information about ths program can call 615-256-SAFE.
In addition to the MNPD, members of the justice system participating in Fugitive Safe Surrender include Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier, General Sessions Judge Rachel Bell, Sheriff Daron Hall and his staff, District Attorney Glenn Funk and his staff, Public Defender Dawn Deaner and her staff, and Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry and his staff.
The church will be turned into courtrooms and offices for attorneys and clerks over the two days. Persons surrendering will be processed using a Sheriff’s Mobile Booking Unit before appearing in one of the makeshift courtrooms.
Gift Cards for Guns
In a separate public safety program, the MNPD is partnering with MAPCO and Crime Stoppers with a Gift Cards for Guns offer on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., on the grounds of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Davidson County residents will be able to exchange unsafe and/or unwanted REAL firearms for $50 MAPCO gift cards. Officers will be on hand to receive the weapons, no questions asked.
The police department strongly urges parents, grandparents and other family members to check homes for unused, unwanted or inoperable firearms and help prevent them from falling into the hands of young people by exchanging them for gift cards on Saturday. Several hundred guns have been exchanged for gift cards since the Gift Cards for Guns events began in 2011.
A special collection box will also be on the site to receive outdated/unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication. Citizens are encouraged to safely dispose of medicines in this matter instead of throwing them into the trash or flushing pills down a commode.
