By james art SAN BERNARDINO, CA. – Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new California Highway Patrol operation with the city of San Bernardino to address the city’s higher crime and gun violence.
The operation, which will be similar to others currently operating in Oakland, San Francisco and Bakersfield, will add special law enforcement units on the ground and in the air – targeting illegal activities and stolen vehicles.
The San Bernardino Police Department will also receive additional investigative support to combat organized crime and violent street gangs, as well as take illegal guns off the street and prevent gun violence.
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“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.
The latest figures show San Bernardino’s serious crime rate is nearly double the state average and its homicide rate is more than three times the state average, according to Newsom’s office.
San Bernardino’s vehicle theft rate remains one of the highest in the state. Local law enforcement in San Bernardino also reported increased traffic and street violations, including street takeovers.
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“We are grateful to Governor Newsom for providing additional support from the California Highway Patrol to the City of San Bernardino,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. “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.”
The operations in Oakland, San Francisco and Bakersfield combined resulted in more than 3,200 arrests, the recovery of nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles, the seizure of more than 170 illegal firearms and the removal of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, from the streets.