Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday announced he will be deploying new California Highway Patrol teams dedicated to crime suppression in partnership with local law enforcement agencies in areas including Los Angeles, San Diego, the Inland Empire and Sacramento, among others.
The effort builds on "successful" CHP efforts already underway in Oakland, Bakersfield and San Bernardino, according to the governor's office. CHP officers assigned to these Crime Suppression Teams are expected to saturate high-crime areas, target repeat offenders and seize illicit weapons and narcotics.
"When the state and local communities work together strategically, public safety improves," Newsom said in a statement. "While the Trump administration undermines cities, California is partnering with them -- and delivering real results. With these new deployments, we're doubling down on these partnerships to build on progress and keep driving crime down."
CHP teams are expected operate in the following:
-- Identify and suppress criminal activity in high-crime areas through data and intelligence-led policing;
-- Conduct proactive enforcement operations designed to deter and disrupt organized crime;
-- Provided increased CHP visibility and presence in communities most impacted by crime;
-- Support local law enforcement by sharing intelligence, coordinating enforcement, and assisting with investigations; and
-- Maintain strict accountability through structured leadership, clear reporting and operational oversight.
"These crime suppression teams will provide critical support to our local partners by focusing on crime where it happens most," CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement. "By combining resources, intelligence, and personnel, we can better disrupt criminal activity and strengthen the safety and security of communities across California."
These Crime Suppression Teams in Bakersfield, San Bernardino and Oakland resulted in more than 9,000 arrests, recovered 5,800 stolen vehicles and confiscated more than 400 firearms, according to the governor's office.
In Bakersfield, since April 2024, the partnership resulted in 859 felony arrests, 721 misdemeanor arrests, 2,654 DUI arrests, 1,386 stolen vehicles recovered and 114 firearms seized. The city's 2024 crime rates were the lowest since 2021, with a 57% decline in homicides and 60% fewer shootings.
In Oakland, by late 2024, crime stood at an overall 34% decrease year- over-year. CHP teams were deployed to the city in February of that year. Since October 2024, the partnership with San Bernardino resulted in 357 felony arrests, 1,627 misdemeanor arrests, 170 DUI arrests, 145 stolen vehicles recovered, and 82 illegal firearms recovered.
Homicide rates, among other crime categories, rose and spiked during the coronavirus pandemic, starting in 2019. However, in the following years, as a result of public safety investments those figures have steadily decreased, according to data from the California Department of Justice.
Preliminary data for the first six months of 2025 has indicated that overall violent crime is down 12.5% compared to 2024.
The Major Cities Chiefs Association has reported a 20% drop in homicides and 19% decrease in robberies in the state so far in 2025.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
The largest overall declines in violent crime were reported by the police departments in Oakland (30%) and San Francisco (22%). In Los Angeles County -- represented by three law enforcement agencies in this dataset -- taken together, overall violent crime declined by 11% in the region.
Earlier this week, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell announced that violent and property crimes were down nearly 11% for the four week period from July 27 through Aug. 23. The chief noted that crimes such as aggravated assaults and robberies dropped by 8% and property crimes such as burglary and motor vehicle theft decreased by 12%.
He reported homicides decreased year-to-date by 27.9%, or 57 fewer murders compared to the same period in 2024, and victims shot citywide dropped by 9%, also within that same time frame.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a statement thanked Gov. Newsom for being a "collaborative partner," adding that she looked forward to working with CHP.
"The best way to address crime and other top challenges is through partnership and this is an example of that. In close collaboration with LAPD and community organizations, we will continue to hold people accountable and implement comprehensive strategies to keep Angelenos safe," Bass said in a statement.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
