Newark Won’t Arrest People For Low-Level Warrants During Pandemic

NEWARK, NJ — When you’re struggling to put food on the table during a pandemic, a little “courtesy” goes a long way. And that’s the reason why Newark will stop arresting people who have low-level police warrants during the coronavirus crisis, the city’s mayor said.

Officials announced that Newark is rolling out a new, temporary policy when it comes to outstanding traffic warrants and non-indictable bench warrants of $500 or less.

According to a joint statement from Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara:

“Under the temporary policy, anyone found to have an outstanding traffic or non-indictable bench warrant that is not domestic violence-related, will not be arrested. When police officers initiate a stop, they will complete a report, including the outstanding warrant number, criminal charge, date issued, municipality of the warrant, bail amount and updated address and contact number of the wanted person. They will then inform the person to address the outstanding warrant as soon as possible. These reports will be forwarded to Newark Municipal Court for their information.”

O’Hara is requiring members of the Newark Police Division to adhere to this temporary procedure “immediately and until further notice,” officials said Friday.

“Police may continue to stop individuals with an outstanding traffic or bench warrant, even if is $500 or less,” O’Hara said. “But those individuals will not be arrested. We will document the encounter, advise the individual of the warrant and what they need to do to resolve it; and the person will be sent on their way.”

“This will allow the officers to remain on the streets, in the neighborhoods where their presence is needed,” O’Hara said. “The last thing people need right now is to lose time from their jobs and families for these minor offenses.”

Mayor Baraka agreed with O’Hara.

“Many people have experienced financial setbacks due to COVID-19, and we want to lessen their burdens, not make them worse, especially during an already difficult and stressful time in their lives,” Baraka said.

“We’re not excusing those outstanding warrants; we’re simply extending the appropriate courtesy called for during this pandemic,” the mayor added. “And I believe it is especially critical that we reduce the possibility of people having negative encounters with police over such minor offenses.”

• See related article: Newark Puts Brakes On Towing Cars After Residents See MVC Delays

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