California Gov. Gavin Newsom, joined by California Highway Patrol leadership and state officials, announces the deployment of new CHP crime-suppression teams during a press conference on Aug. 28, 2025. (Screenshot via California Governor Gavin Newsom/YouTube)
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced the deployment of new California Highway Patrol (CHP) “crime suppression” teams to San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Inland Empire, part of a broader rollout across six regions including Sacramento, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley.
The Governor’s Office said the teams will target high-crime areas through intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, and direct coordination with local police and sheriffs. They will focus on retail theft, stolen vehicles, drug enforcement, and organized crime.
“When the state and local communities work together strategically, public safety improves,” Newsom said. “With these new deployments, we’re doubling down on partnerships to keep driving crime down.” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee added that the teams will provide “critical support… by focusing on crime where it happens most.”
IMPACT ON SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES, AND INLAND EMPIRE
The state has not released officer counts or deployment schedules but confirmed that the new units will assist local departments in enforcement operations. Similar efforts in Oakland and Bakersfield concentrated on stolen vehicles and violent crime, combining CHP resources with city law enforcement.
TRACK RECORD FROM EARLIER DEPLOYMENTS
State officials highlight previous outcomes as evidence of effectiveness:
- More than 9,000 arrests statewide.
- Nearly 5,800 stolen vehicles recovered.
- Over 400 firearms seized.
In Bakersfield, the state reported declines in homicides and shootings in 2024. In Oakland, thousands of stolen vehicles were recovered, and citywide crime indicators showed multi-category decreases.
The announcement follows statewide data from the California Department of Justice showing declines in several crime categories. Early 2025 tallies from major police departments also suggested downward trends. However, independent reporting has noted data inconsistencies, particularly in Oakland, meaning progress claims should be interpreted with caution and proper attribution.
Officials did not specify how many CHP officers will be stationed in each city or when deployments will begin. The Governor’s Office emphasized that operations will be tailored to local needs and carried out in close partnership with municipal agencies.
