Project Safe Surrender In Brooklyn Gives Minor Offenders The Chance To Be Forgiven

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - It's called Project Safe Surrender, and it helps people with outstanding warrants.

They're called C-Summons and warrants, and residents in the five boroughs can get one if they walk their dog without a leash, have an open container of alcohol or stay in a park after it closes.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports

The Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Brooklyn held a unique event called Project Safe Surrender on Saturday, where dozens of people with C-Summons and warrants had the opportunity to see a judge and get their minor offenses forgiven.

"People tend to take them lightly," spokesperson Ruth Morrison told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall, "They may forget that they have a C-Summons, and if they go beyond the date of expiration, then that C-Summons turns into a warrant. If you get stopped by the police for any reason, they have to arrest you and you'll spend a night in jail."

Throughout the morning and afternoon, participants saw the judge and mostly got their offenses forgiven.

"I had forgotten about it," said one man who was pardoned after getting in trouble for having an open container of alcohol. "But it's a good thing I got a letter in the mail saying I could come up here and get it taken care of quickly. I don't have to worry about repercussions."

The event started at 9 a.m. Saturday and ended at 3 p.m.

Did you partake in Project Safe Surrender on Saturday? Share your stories and comments below...