Newsom vows to crackdown on crime by deploying new CHP teams across the state

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to reduce crime across California.

The governor held a press conference Thursday to announce the deployment of new California Highway Patrol teams, dedicated to crime suppression, in areas including Los Angeles, San Diego, the Inland Empire, Sacramento, San Francisco, and the Central Valley. 

What we know:

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.

CHP teams are expected to 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.

What they're saying:

"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."

"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."

Dig deeper:

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 has 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.

The largest overall decline in violent crime was 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 timeframe.