LOCK HAVEN — Area residents with outstanding warrants are encouraged to take part in the Clinton County Courthouse’s first-ever Safe Surrender program on Oct. 23 and 24.

According to information provided by court officials, the program is “meant to encourage individuals who have outstanding warrants to voluntarily surrender themselves to law enforcement and receive favorable considerations in doing so.”

Individuals who turn themselves in are able to have their warrants reviewed and resolved.

Clinton County Adult Probation Director Jason Foltz said the county did a similar program roughly 10 years ago, at the time it was known as the Amnesty Program.

Safe Surrender is a statewide program that’s been conducted in larger areas such as Philadelphia and Dauphin County, he said.

This program is being held in partnership with the Department of Corrections and Pennsylvania Board of Parole.

Though Foltz said he hopes those who may be in the probation department’s list for bench warrants will take the opportunity, he said individuals who may have an unpaid traffic violation or non-traffic violation also have the opportunity to get it taken care of quickly.

“There’s thousands of warrants for small offenses, like traffic offenses and things like that, within the county that come from all three of our magistrates. There’s monthly lists sent out,” he explained.

For those individuals, he said they can sometimes have forgotten to pay the fine for a citation and haven’t received reminders due to changing addresses and other issues.

Foltz said District Judge Keith Kibler will be at the event to assist individuals in those situations.

For those who may be on probation and have missed payment plans that have already been set up, and have failed to appear in court when summoned, Foltz said they’ll come before either President Judge Craig Miller or Judge Michael Salisbury.

Foltz said there are 87 individuals that are currently in the probation department’s system for outstanding payments on fines related to court proceedings.

Currently, there are 42 active bench warrants out for individuals through the probation department, he said.

The goal for the Safe Surrender event, he said, is to help individuals with bench warrants avoid any jail time.

He explained if a person with a bench warrant makes contact with law enforcement, they’d be taken to the Clinton County Correctional Facility and wait roughly a day or more to be seen before a magisterial judge.

“If they show up, reestablish a new payment plan and update their address, phone number, things like that the judge would vacate the bench warrant,” he said about the Safe Surrender program.

Those who take part in the program may do so between 12 and 5 p.m. at the courthouse, 230 E. Water St., Lock Haven.

The courts ask you to bring a valid photo ID. No weapons or children are allowed during this process.

For questions, you may contact the county’s probation department at 570-893-4051.

Foltz noted if you are someone who is unsure if you’ve paid a fine for a traffic violation or other similar offense, you can contact your local Magisterial District Judge to determine if you are on a list.