Ohio attorney general to keep surrender program

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says he will hire a staff member to coordinate a state program to allow fugitives to safely surrender after the U.S. Marshals Service cut funding for the program nationwide.

DeWine said Monday that he wants to continue the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which started in Cleveland in 2005 and spread across the country after he sponsored legislation to fund it as a U.S. Senator.

More than 34,000 people have surrendered nationwide at events held at churches and other community sites.

The program is aimed at fugitives charged with non-violent crimes. The Marshals Service has said the $250,000 cost was cut earlier this year because the program did not fit its mission of catching violent fugitives.