Golden State Today

The ongoing collaboration between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local law enforcement in Bakersfield has led to significant results, with over 1,600 arrests since April. This initiative is part of Governor Gavin Newsom's strategy to enhance public safety in the Central Valley. The operation has resulted in 1,623 arrests, the recovery of 677 stolen vehicles, and the seizure of 47 firearms linked to criminal activities.

Governor Newsom expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by CHP and local law enforcement: “I thank the California Highway Patrol for their strong partnership with local law enforcement in Bakersfield. Their focused enforcement efforts are addressing the unique challenges of the Central Valley to make the region safer for everyone.”

Kern County faces higher rates of property crime and violent crime compared to state averages. In response, a coordinated effort was launched in April by Governor Newsom aimed at improving public safety and curbing criminal activity such as vehicle theft and organized retail crime. The CHP has been active in high-crime areas to tackle these issues.

In August, this initiative expanded through a new partnership with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office targeting criminal networks involved in retail thefts, car thefts, and violent crimes within Kern County communities.

On September 28th, two suspects were arrested on Route 58 after CHP officers discovered a cache of illegal firearms hidden within their vehicle's spare tire compartment. Among these were five handguns and seven rifles, including a stolen firearm and an unserialized ghost gun.

Governor Newsom recently signed into law bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing property crime across California. These laws establish stricter penalties for repeat offenders while providing additional tools for felony prosecutions against serial shoplifters and auto burglars.

Previously awarded $6.2 million through the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, Bakersfield Police Department focuses on preventing organized retail theft alongside motor vehicle-related crimes. This grant represents one of California's largest investments against organized retail crime.

Efforts like these build upon statewide initiatives that have seen substantial investments totaling $1.1 billion since 2019 towards fighting crime and enhancing public safety across various regions including Oakland and San Francisco.