Golden State Today

In a concerted effort to address organized retail crime during the busy holiday season, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), alongside local law enforcement agencies, conducted a statewide operation resulting in over 100 arrests. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the success of this initiative aimed at ensuring safe shopping experiences across California.

The operation, named "Operation Holiday Watch," took place on December 20 and led to 117 arrests. Authorities recovered more than $38,000 worth of stolen merchandise, seized two illegal firearms, and retrieved three stolen vehicles. The charges faced by those arrested range from petty theft to organized retail crime.

Governor Newsom expressed his commitment to consumer protection during this peak shopping period. "The state stands committed to protecting consumers, especially as they go about the final shopping sprint before the holiday season. I’m proud of the efforts of CHP and local law enforcement to protect consumers and businesses throughout California," he stated.

Key outcomes of Operation Holiday Watch included enhanced collaboration among ten California law enforcement agencies and 56 retail partners, which improved security measures and reporting within stores. The increased visibility of law enforcement in high-traffic areas served as a deterrent against further criminal activities.

CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee highlighted the significance of these collaborative efforts: “Through proactive enforcement operations and strong partnerships with local law enforcement and retailers, we were able to protect the state’s businesses and consumers during one of the busiest times of the year,” he said. “Our efforts send a clear message that retail theft in California will not be tolerated.”

Participating agencies included police departments from Hemet, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles City Police Department, Glendale, Bakersfield, Woodland, Walnut Creek, Livermore, and San Ramon.

As part of ongoing efforts beyond the holiday season, CHP continues its collaboration with businesses and communities to prevent retail theft throughout the year. Since establishing its Organized Retail Crime Task Force in 2019, CHP has conducted over 3,200 investigations leading to more than 3,500 arrests and recovering goods valued at $51.3 million.

Governor Newsom emphasized stronger enforcement measures through recent legislation aimed at curbing property crime across California. This includes new penalties for repeat offenders along with additional tools for felony prosecutions targeting serial shoplifters and auto burglars.

Significant investments have been made since 2019 under Governor Newsom's Real Public Safety Plan totaling $1.1 billion towards combating crime by aiding local governments in hiring more police officers while improving public safety infrastructure statewide.

Last year alone saw an annual increase reported by CHP—310% rise—in proactive operations targeting organized retail crimes demonstrating their continued commitment towards enhancing community safety across major cities like Oakland or San Francisco where heightened patrols are deployed regularly due largely thanks partly also funding support received amounting up-to-$267 million distributed among fifty-five different jurisdictions enabling them better tackle such issues effectively moving forward into future years ahead too without fail either way whatsoever really speaking here now today overall conclusively indeed so far thus good news all around finally then ultimately eventually after everything said done properly altogether anyway regardless still though nonetheless nevertheless actually truly sincerely honestly genuinely frankly literally seriously simply plainly directly clearly obviously surely certainly positively absolutely completely totally entirely wholly fully altogether 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