Governor Newsom’s expanded CHP deployment makes early impact on crime, seizing drugs and illegal guns

What you need to know: Since Governor Newsom expanded the deployment of the California Highway Patrol into major cities throughout the state three weeks ago, the additional enforcement has led to more than 400 arrests and 25 illicit firearms recovered. Overall, California has generally seen homicide, robbery, and property crime rates at or below pre-pandemic levels.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the ongoing deployment of new CHP crime suppression teams in major cities and regions across the state has led to 409 arrests, the recovery of 156 stolen vehicles, and the seizure of 25 illicit firearms since expanding his crime-fighting efforts.

In collaboration with city officials and local law enforcement in major cities and regions across the state - San Diego, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Central Valley, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area - the CHP's crime suppression teams are continuing to build on the positive efforts that have helped reduce crime in different parts of the state. Combined with California's significant financial investments, these partnerships build on previous efforts that brought positive change to Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Oakland.

California's crime rates in nearly every major category, including violent crime and homicides, dropped in 2024, according to data released by the California Department of Justice. And overall, California has generally seen homicide, robbery, and property crime rates at or below pre-pandemic levels.

"In just a few weeks, the CHP crime suppression teams are delivering demonstrably positive results. Thanks to their work supplementing local law enforcement, a greater sense of security is being brought to communities up and down the state. And most importantly, it's being done in open partnership with the localities being served."

Governor Gavin Newsom