December 2, 2011

Columbia Police Department announced plans for its biannual warrant roundup, expecting to knock on the doors of approximately 650 residents with warrants out for their arrests.

The roundup will begin Saturday and continue through Dec. 10.

“Officers will be on special assignment to handle the warrant roundup,” CPD spokeswoman Latisha Stroer said. “There will be a certain amount each day that go out and go to the address and try to execute the warrant at the time.”

The roundup happens twice each year: once during the spring and again in the fall.

“It reduces the amounts of warrants in the system and frees up the court system,” Stroer said. “When someone has a warrant, then the case is still pending and it slows down the courts. When someone has a warrant it usually means they haven’t paid a fine or cost, or they didn’t show up for their court date.”

When that happens, the municipal court sends a letter to offenders letting them know they missed a court date or didn’t pay a fine and that there is now a warrant out for their arrest. Officers will deal with warrants for serious offenses like stealing, DWI and resisting arrest next week, she said.

CPD is encouraging people with warrants to turn themselves in because it will expedite the process for the offenders.

“If we have to go to someone’s house, it may not be the most convenient time for them because they may have their children there,” Stroer said. “If we go to their work, they miss work and need to collect the bond to get out.”

People can have more control over when they are arrested by turning themselves in, she said. Turning oneself over to the department does not affect punishment, but there is still a requirement to pay a bond fee and warrant fee to avoid jail time.

“It would cost them more money if they had appeared and said they didn’t have the money right now,” Stroer said. “They have to pay a warrant fee that you wouldn’t have to pay if you had shown up to court.”

Residents can check their warrant status at [CPD’s website](http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/police).

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