Phila. Clergy to assist city in fugitive surrenders
Mayor Michael Nutter today will announce a partnership with Philadelphia ministers that will enable pastors to escort fugitives into police custody.
Mayor Nutter today will announce a partnership with Philadelphia ministers that will enable pastors to escort fugitives into police custody.
About 100 clergy of all faiths have gathered for breakfast at a West Philadelphia union hall in anticipation of the announcement.
About 68,000 men and women are wanted on an assortment of arrest warrants in the city. The new program, called "Peaceful Surrender," encourages them to call ministers who will broker a surrender with law enforcement authorities.
Not since the early 1990s have wanted men had a vehicle to turn themselves in.
Chuck Stone, the legendary former columnist for the Daily News, negotiated the surrenders of 75 men wanted for murder. Stone retired from the newspaper in 1991 to become a journalism professor in North Carolina.
Stone was at the breakfast this morning to help launch the mayor's new initiative.
Nutter is scheduled to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. at District Council 33 headquarters at 38th and Market Streets to announce the new program.
























