(NewsNation) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending 120 Highway Patrol officers to Oakland under a new campaign to target an uptick in violent crime and theft.
Newsom announced Tuesday that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will begin a law enforcement surge operation in Oakland and the East Bay, working in partnership with local law enforcement agencies in the area.
“As crime rates across California decrease — including right across the Bay in San Francisco — Oakland is seeing the opposite trend. What’s happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable,” Newsom said.
“I’m sending the California Highway Patrol to assist local efforts to restore a sense of safety that the hardworking people of Oakland and the East Bay demand and deserve.”
The CHP’s surge operation will take a multipronged approach, targeting auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime, violent crime and high-visibility traffic enforcement, the announcement detailed.
The CHP will deploy license plate reading technology that will help identify and recover stolen vehicles as well as specialized units, including K-9s and air support.
This operation will represent a nearly 900% increase in CHP presence in Oakland.
“The surge of crime and violence that we are seeing in our streets is completely unacceptable,” said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “The City of Oakland is hard at work turning the tide — increasing law enforcement investigations, increasing police recruitment, and investing in community and violence intervention efforts.
“As we work to improve public safety, I’m grateful for Governor Newsom for providing these critical law enforcement resources that are a game-changer in helping us hold more criminals accountable and make Oakland safer.”
Violent crime in Oakland increased 21% in 2023, according to the city’s year-end crime report. In the same year, homicides topped 100 for the fourth year in a row, robberies increased by 38%, and motor vehicle theft increased 45%.