Governor Gavin Newsom announced the expansion of California’s statewide crime suppression program, increasing California Highway Patrol (CHP) deployments in six key regions, including major cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Central Valley. The expansion builds on previous efforts, which have led to over 9,000 arrests and the recovery of thousands of stolen vehicles.
At the press conference, Newsom faced criticism over the perceived contradiction of expanding law enforcement operations while downplaying concerns about rising crime in the state. He insisted the move was about strengthening existing collaborations between CHP and local agencies to address violent crime, carjackings, auto theft, and fentanyl trafficking.
The initiative originally launched in Oakland and San Francisco, where CHP teams supported local police in cracking down on organized retail theft and narcotics-related crimes. CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee emphasized the value of combining intelligence, personnel, and resources to better combat crime in high-impact areas.
security of communities across California,” Duryee said.
While Bay Area residents are unlikely to see major changes due to an already strong CHP presence, local leaders like Vallejo City Council member Alex Matias praised the program’s positive impact on public safety. Despite the program’s growth, CHP continues to face a shortage of officers, though efforts to recruit and retain staff are reportedly improving.
Newsom denied that the expansion was in response to federal crime intervention efforts by President Donald Trump, who has deployed National Guard troops to U.S. cities and suggested sending them to places like Los Angeles. Newsom has sued to block such federal actions in California, arguing they’re done to communities, not with them.
Political analysts see Newsom’s move as an effort to shape his image on public safety, possibly in preparation for a 2028 presidential bid. Analyst Dan Schnur said Newsom is trying to send a visible message on crime without aligning with Trump’s federal deployment strategy.
