Philadelphia police have instituted a catch-and-release policy for numerous crimes, including some felonies, in order to reduce jail population during the coronavirus outbreak.
The department said in a statement Tuesday that, effective Wednesday for the covered crimes, officers will arrest people, process them and let them go.
Warrants for re-arrest will be served at a later date.
The covered offenses, according to a fact sheet, include all narcotics offenses, theft from persons or autos, burglary, vandalism, and auto theft.
“There will be a different way we arrest people,” John McNesby, president of a local Fraternal Order of Police chapter, told the local CBS affiliate.
The order would not apply to violent crimes.
In a statement, the department also cautioned that “if a police officer believes that releasing an individual would pose a threat to public safety,” he can detain an offender with his supervisor’s approval.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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