CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom announced May 27 that ongoing joint law enforcement operations across California have yielded 6,727 arrests, recovered 4,842 stolen vehicles, and confiscated 313 dangerous firearms.
Launched in 2024 under Newsom’s direction, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) targeted high-crime areas through state and local partnerships to curb roadway violence and crime.
Newsom’s office reported more arrests and recovered stolen vehicles in San Bernardino, reduced crime in Oakland and fewer homicides and shootings in Bakersfield following the operations.
“I am proud of the CHP Officers, who continue to serve their communities, deter crime, and hold bad actors accountable,” said Newsom.
San Bernardino
Since October 2024, CHP efforts have helped clamp down on property theft and violent crime in San Bernardino, resulting in 1,311 arrests (249 felonies), 90 stolen vehicles recovered and 34 illicit firearms seized.
The CHP’s operation also adds special law enforcement units on the ground and in the air — specifically targeting sideshow activities and stolen vehicles using high-tech cameras.
Bakersfield
Following the start of the CHP partnership in April 2024, Bakersfield recorded 3,315 arrests (680 felonies), 1,174 recovered stolen vehicles and 87 firearms seized. Homicides dropped 57% and shootings fell 60%, making 2024 the city’s safest year since 2021.
In over a year of partnership, state and local law enforcement have used aerial suppression teams to help apprehend fleeing suspects.
Oakland
By late 2024, Oakland saw a 34% overall crime reduction, with robbery down 25%, burglary nearly halved, and motor vehicle theft down 33%. Since February 2024, joint efforts led to 2,101 arrests (1,504 felonies), 3, 578 recovered stolen vehicles and 192 firearms seized.
Over the past 15 months, CHP and local police have collaborated on arrests for multiple felonies, gun and drug charges, a multi-month investigation to crack down on an organized retail theft ring, the recovery of over $779,000 in stolen goods.
$267 million in grants to communities to hire police
In April, Newsom announced the result of $267 million in grants to 55 communities for hiring police and pursuing felony charges.
From October 2023 to December 2024, 88% of 373 organized retail theft convictions were felonies.
