Hundreds opt for "safe surrender"

LAS CRUCES (KRQE) - U.S. Marshals say New Mexico's Safe Surrender Program has had an outstanding turnout. Since the program began Wednesday, the U.S. Marshals say  424 people have surrendered.

The Safe Surrender program aims at reducing the risk to law enforcement officers who pursue fugitives, to the neighborhoods in which they hide and to the fugitives themselves.

Through the program wanted individuals can pay fines and submit to court orders without being booked into jail. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral and the Federal Building in Las Cruces are both participating in the program.

"That's why we call it fugitive safe surrender - it goes back thousands of years ppl have been able to sit down in a church and be able to resolve an issue," U.S. Marshal Gorden Eden said.

Safe Surrender runs through Saturday. After that, officers will start looking for fugitives.