More than 3,000 people have turned themselves in during Newark's "Safe Surrender" program, including more than 2,000 people alone on Saturday at the Bethany Baptist Church.

Authorities say a similar program held in Camden last year brought in about 2,000 people with outstanding warrants, but they never expected the turnout to be so large this year.

The program allows people with outstanding warrants for nonviolent offenses a chance to resolve their legal problems. Residents who turned themselves in had their cases heard by a judge and some were cleared of the charges. Others were given future court dates.

U.S. Marshal Jim Plousis says some of the warrants date back to 1978.