Newsom Unveils Tougher Laws and Increased California Highway Patrol Efforts for 2025

On December 27, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared an extension of California Highway Patrol activities in Oakland while also emphasizing new legislation that empowers prosecutors to pursue criminals with greater intensity.

The additional resources, initially allocated in February and subsequently extended to increase shifts fourfold in June, were confirmed to last through the end of December. The governor, however, announced that these operations would now carry on for an additional month.

“We are committed to extending that partnership, but not indefinitely,” Newsom said. “At this juncture, we require some proportional support and reforms concerning policing in Oakland to consider continuing this state-funded collaboration.”

The governor highlighted the necessity for local officials to “confront the current crisis” and modify policies that limit police chases of fleeing vehicles to certain situations.

Ezery Beauchamp, the CHP deputy commissioner, mentioned that his officers have apprehended suspects who expressed surprise at being pursued, as they have become accustomed to local police not engaging in such actions.

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He noted that community lives are endangered when wrongdoers feel empowered.

“When a criminal evades police, it’s the community that suffers,” Beauchamp remarked.

A local business leader echoed this sentiment, stating that the policy puts the community at risk.

“We are increasingly worried about Oakland’s restrictive vehicle pursuit policy,” said Barbara Leslie, CEO of the Oakland Metro Chamber of Commerce, during the press conference. “Criminals are aware that they can act with minimal consequences, endangering our residents, employees, and visitors.”

She highlighted that the prevalence of robberies, shoplifting, and other offenses is hindering business investments in Oakland.

“Public safety is the foremost concern for businesses when deciding where to establish, grow, or—more alarmingly—whether to remain at all,” Leslie added.

“The ripple effect on our small retailers and restaurants is catastrophic.”

Bishop Bob Jackson, a local pastor, expressed his approval of the development.

“I heard someone say we need to make Oakland great again, and that’s what we’re really looking forward to,” he stated. “I’ve lived here for 79 years, and … crime has never been this severe.”

Surge operations are also taking place in San Francisco, Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Vallejo.

The governor labeled Bakersfield and Kern County as the “murder capital of California,” ranking as the most hazardous area in five of the past six years.

Throughout this year’s operations, hundreds of illicit firearms were confiscated, over 4,000 suspects were apprehended, and more than 3,500 stolen vehicles were recovered.

In just nine months, nearly 500 flock cameras were installed, a move that Beauchamp referred to as a “game changer” for effectively tracking suspects.

A network comprising roughly 12,500 cameras statewide is assisting investigations, including the apprehension of two suspects sought for attempted murder in a freeway shooting incident.

Additionally, the state’s retail theft task force reclaimed over $13 million worth of stolen property and arrested more than 1,400 individuals in 2024.

Since its inception in 2019, the task force has seized $51.3 million in stolen goods.

According to a statement from the governor’s office, a coordinated blitz operation with 56 retailers during the holiday shopping season resulted in 117 arrests and felony charges, including grand theft, organized retail crimes, auto theft, and illegal firearm possession.

New legislation, which takes effect on January 1, will bolster law enforcement’s capacity to tackle retail theft, automobile break-ins, thefts, and unlawful street takeovers.

Proposition 36, which voters passed in November to amend specific elements of Proposition 47 (which downgraded some drug and theft offenses from felonies to misdemeanors), became effective on December 18 and now permits stricter penalties and enhanced judicial discretion to file felony charges against repeat offenders.

The governor voiced concerns prior to the election about the need for funding to support rehabilitation efforts required by Prop 36.

State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares informed The Epoch Times that Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly had sent a letter to Newsom urging full funding for substance abuse and mental health programs to support the implementation of the new law. The letter pointed out that the existing Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) court program is ineffective because participants can exit without facing consequences.

“This presents an opportunity to enhance CARE court’s effectiveness with Prop 36,” Valladares stated. “We are not out of the woods yet, but it’s a significant step forward.”

A law enforcement official from northern California emphasized that the Legislature must acknowledge the harm its policies have inflicted in recent years.

“The government’s choice not to penalize criminals results in increased crime that harms individuals and businesses,” Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall told The Epoch Times.

He urged the governor and state lawmakers to meet with sheriffs statewide to discuss potential solutions and grasp the repercussions of policy decisions.

“If we genuinely want to address this issue, California must foster education, opportunities, and accountability,” Kendall stated. “It’s essential to consider the unique needs of diverse communities. Everyone should be involved in discussions to determine what best benefits our communities.”