Governor Gavin Newsom has prolonged CHP surge operations for another month after observing a decline in crime in the area in 2024.
Governor Gavin Newsom has extended the California Highway Patrol (CHP) operations in the Bay Area, particularly in Oakland, as new legislation enables law enforcement to tackle retail theft, vehicle theft, and unauthorized gatherings.
Newsom has continued state law enforcement assistance in the East Bay for an additional month.
“California demonstrates that effective public safety is accomplished through strategic planning and strong collaborations,” Newsom
remarked. “By prolonging our essential CHP operations and instituting stricter laws, we’re not merely reacting to crime, but rather preventing it and safeguarding our communities.”
The augmented presence of CHP in Oakland commenced in February 2024. In July, Newsom
increased the number of CHP shifts in the region fourfold after the CHP successfully recovered 1,142 stolen vehicles, confiscated 55 firearms linked to criminal activities, and apprehended 562 suspects since February.
Faith in Action East Bay’s Public Safety Committee and Ceasefire Night Walkers conducted a
press conference on Monday with Oakland officials to share data regarding gun violence in 2024.
Faith in Action East Bay asserted that 2024 has been Oakland’s safest year since 2020, reporting a 34 percent reduction in homicides compared to 2023, alongside a similar decrease in nonfatal shootings. They attribute this success to
Ceasefire, a program aimed at diminishing gun violence by identifying high-risk individuals and providing them with warnings and social services.
An
August report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association noted that Oakland is witnessing declines in homicide rates and other violent crimes, reflecting trends seen in many major U.S. cities. Robberies, assaults, and rapes have also seen declines.
Earlier this year, the state
installed 480 advanced cameras and an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system in the East Bay, with 190 positioned on state highways and 290 situated in Oakland. These cameras enhance vehicle identification and provide real-time crime alerts.
Newsom has also facilitated
support for prosecutions from the California National Guard and the California Attorney General’s Office.
“Local law enforcement indicates that the state’s assistance has contributed to better crime rates and reporting in the city; however, challenges remain due to inefficient local policies, especially those that severely restrict law enforcement’s capacity to pursue suspected criminals,” he noted.
The CHP operations across Oakland, San Francisco, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino have resulted in over 4,000 arrests, more than 3,500 recovered stolen vehicles, and the seizure of hundreds of illegal firearms.
The CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, established by Newsom in 2019 and expanded in 2021, has retrieved over $51.3 million in stolen property.
In 2024, this task force surpassed its total recoveries from 2023 in just 11 months, having seized more than $13 million in stolen items, apprehended 1,406 suspects, and conducted 777 investigations.
In December, the CHP’s
holiday operation led to 117 arrests and felony charges, ranging from petty theft to grand theft, organized retail crime, auto theft, and illegal firearm possession.
In 2024, the CHP recovered more than $13 million in stolen property and arrested upwards of 1,400 suspects statewide.
