By james art California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new “surge operation” for California Highway Patrol operations in San Bernardino due to an increase in serious crimes.
The operation, which is similar to what the governor’s office called “successful operations” in Oakland, Bakersfield and San Francisco, will see the San Bernardino Police Department working with the CHP’s internal task force. Additional officers will be stationed in the city to help local law enforcement reduce crime, which includes gun violence and property theft.
“We are deploying additional support to the CHP to help local law enforcement aggressively suppress criminal activity and provide this community with a new level of safety and accountability,” Newsom said in a statement. “Whether in the Bay Area, the Central Valley or Southern California – we are watching and ready to step in and support local law enforcement to protect communities and keep Californians safe.”
Violent crime in San Bernardino is nearly double the state average and the homicide rate is more than three times the California average, according to the latest data provided by the governor’s statement. In addition, vehicle theft rates are among the highest in the state.
The CHP will assist with units both on the ground and in the air, many of which will be dedicated to targeting street seizures and stolen vehicles, the release said. Additionally, additional investigators will be provided to assist the SBPD to crack down on street gangs, organized crime and take illegal guns off the street.
“We are grateful to Governor Newsom for providing additional support from the California Highway Patrol to the City of San Bernardino,” San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said in the statement. “This year, the efforts of our city police department have resulted in a 13 percent reduction in violent crime, and the additional support will enhance public safety in our community.” With this new state and local collaboration in San Bernardino, we can continue to impact the criminal enterprises targeting our neighborhoods and businesses.”
This is the latest in a series of similar operations taking place throughout California, with similar work being done in the Bay Area. So far, the operations have resulted in more than 3,200 arrests, nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles have been recovered and officers have seized more than 170 illegal firearms and illegal drugs.
Since 2019, California has invested more than $1 billion in funding law enforcement resources and personnel to fight crime, the statement said.
Governor Newsom has made efforts to assist local law enforcement with a number of historic investments aimed at stopping organized retail theft. Last year alone, 55 local law enforcement agencies received more than $267 from the state to help prosecute organized retail theft that resulted in more than 10,000 arrests.
In addition to these arrests, the CHP’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrested more than 3,200 people and recovered more than 880,000 stolen items valued at more than $46 million.