What you need to know: The California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) surge in Oakland continues to hold criminals accountable, with 803 arrests, 81 illegal firearms seized, and 1,641 stolen vehicles recovered since February of this year. 

OAKLAND - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the most recent results from the ongoing CHP surge in Oakland with 81 illegal firearms seized, 803 arrests, and 1,641 stolen vehicles recovered since February of this year.

“Our ongoing presence and the results yielded by the CHP in Oakland demonstrates the state’s commitment to prioritizing public safety. All Californians should feel safe in their communities, and the state will continue its work to put criminals on notice and families more at ease.” - Governor Gavin Newsom

How we got here

Today’s announcement builds on Governor Newsom’s strategy to improve public safety in the East Bay and the surrounding area, including through an initial CHP surge operation in February and ongoing increased enforcement focused on combating auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime, and high-visibility traffic enforcement.

Last month, Governor Newsom announced the state was ramping up efforts to further crack down on crime in the East Bay by increasing the deployment of CHP officers in Oakland.

Since February 2024, the CHP has recovered 1,641 stolen vehicles, seized 81 crime-linked firearms, and arrested 803 suspects. An operation in July led to the arrest of a freeway road shooting suspect, who was identified through one of CHP’s newly installed high-tech “Flock” cameras announced by Governor Newsom in April. 

Investing in Oakland

As part of the state’s public safety investments in the region, in February, California offered the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office resources from the California National Guard, including experienced prosecutors, for prosecution efforts to take down organized drug-related criminal enterprises. In July, the Governor’s Office notified the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office that the Cal Guard Attorneys would be redeployed to the California Attorney General’s Office, where they will prosecute cases originating in Alameda County, which was finalized earlier this month.

Also earlier this year, the Governor released Caltrans’ 10-Point Action Plan to support the city’s efforts to improve street safety and beautification. The comprehensive plan outlines actionable steps the state is taking to further support the city through blight abatement efforts, homeless encampment resolutions, community outreach initiatives, employment opportunities, and other beautification and safety efforts. A detailed overview of the state’s investments in Oakland and Alameda County is available here.

Fighting crime

California has invested over $1.1 billion to fund resources and personnel to fight crime, help locals hire more police, and improve public safety since 2019. Earlier this month, Governor Newsom signed a landmark legislative package cracking down on retail crime and property theft. In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime and special operations across the state – including Bakersfield and San Francisco – to fight crime and improve public safety.