For a first try, Dixie Inn’s Bench Warrants Amnesty Program was fairly successful, according to Police Chief Jim Edwards.
“We had about 20 people come in to pay fines,” Edwards said. “That collected about $5,000 in unpaid fines.” Edwards and the Dixie Inn Police Department hosted the program last month.
During that time, anyone with a citation from the village could come to Village Hall and pay the fine without fear of extra court costs or incarceration.
Without the amnesty program, a person with a bench warrant can be arrested any time, anywhere. Citations may be issued for speeding, disturbing the peace and open container.
For those who chose not to participate, a bench warrant round-up is next on the agenda.
“Maybe these people will be more serious about coming in the next time we have an amnesty program,” Edwards said. All of Dixie Inn’s officers have full power to arrest, whether they are full- or part- time, said the chief.
“We will be prepared to do the round-up ourselves, but we will be seeking assistance from the Minden police and Webster deputies because we will be going into their jurisdictions to make some of the arrests,” he said.
Prior to the program, Dixie Inn had about $190,000 in unpaid fines. Edwards said the amnesty program was a way to help both the perpetrators and the town.
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