The Kingsville Police Department and the Kingsville Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force will conduct a City of Kingsville warrant roundup starting Monday. The warrant crackdown will continue through Dec. 18.

The warrant roundup is aimed at people who have active warrants for traffic tickets and ordinance violations, Chief of Police Ricardo Torres said.

The first phase of the roundup, which starts Monday and ends Friday, will consist of a grace period.

“During this time, individuals with outstanding warrants are encouraged to pay their fines at the City of Kingsville Municipal Court at 200 E. Kleberg from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” he said.

The second phase, which begins Dec. 14 and ends Dec. 18, is enforcement week.

“During this week, individuals will be rounded up and taken to jail, or if court is in session, they will be brought to the court to address the outstanding warrants before the municipal court judge,” Torres said.

The chief has vowed to service outstanding warrants during targeted enforcement days throughout the remainder of 2009 and into 2010.

There are 4,591 outstanding warrants as of Nov. 30, according to Municipal Court Clerk Yolanda Vasquez.

“Those warrants are equivalent to $1,094,484.85 in fines and fees that are outstanding,” she said.

The police chief said citizens are encouraged to contact the municipal court regarding any warrants or outstanding fines during the grace period.

Officers of the police force and task force will be going to residences, as well as businesses, to serve the outstanding warrants during the enforcement phase and will continue to do the same during targeted enforcement periods,” the chief said.