Police: More warrant officers will be out for round-up
The Odessa Police Department is preparing to bolster its Warrant Division in anticipation of seeking 18,000 active warrant holders during the Great Texas Warrant Round-Up.
The round-up begins Feb. 25 and includes 260 agencies across Texas.
“They (people with warrants) can be arrested at any given time, 24 hours a day, in any place,” Cpl. Jon Foust of the Warrant Division said.
Foust said he made over 30 arrests this week.
Last year, the Odessa Municipal Court made $341,894.87 on fines paid during the warrant round-up. Warrant officers served around 1,600 warrants last year.
Phillip Urrutia, a court supervisor with the municipal court, said the most common active warrants they have are traffic-related, such as speeding.
“Usually, the municipal court will print us a list of active warrants, and we’ll divide them up and serve them,” Cpl. Pete Gonzales said.
The Warrant Division usually has two officers, but the division will have six officers during the round-up. The municipal court has sent notifications of the warrant round-up to warrant holders.
While arrests can happen at any time and any place, Gonzales said he would rather warrant-holders pay than be arrested.
“We would like for them to pay so that we don’t overburden the jail,” he said. “If they refuse to pay, that could be a reason for an arrest. It’s up to an officer’s discretion.”
Foust said officers will make between three and five arrests per shift.
