U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Fugitive Safe Reauthorization Act last week to renew the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which allows U.S. Marshals to work with local faith organizations and get those with warrants to turn themselves into law enforcement.
“We need to make sure that U.S. Marshals can focus their time and resources on apprehending violent and dangerous criminals,” Tillis said. “This bipartisan legislation will support the U.S. Marshal Services’ innovative FSS program, which has proven to help protect the safety of law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”
The FSS program is, at its heart, a partnership between the U.S. Marshals Service, local law enforcement and local churches alike. It has since spread to communities throughout the country, granting those with non-violent felony and misdemeanor warrants out for their arrest to turn themselves in at a safe environment, without forcing the Marshals to come looking for them. In turn, their cases can be adjudicated in a safe, community-based setting, and the organizations can then provide an equally safe environment and services for later reentry into the community.
Reauthorization was backed by the National Sheriffs Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Evangelicals, Jesuit Conference of Canada, United States Office of Justice and Ecology and the Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.