Newsom will deploy CHP to help combat violence in San Bernardino

The California Highway Patrol is stepping in to help combat property theft, shootings and more in the city of San Bernardino, where the violent crime rate is about double the state average.

The CHP surge operation will add ground and air law enforcement units to help San Bernardino police tackle sideshows, stolen vehicles, ghost guns and street gangs, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday in announcing the action. launch of the program. The partnership aims to increase public safety in one of California’s most crime-ridden cities.

The city of San Bernardino had an estimated 1,059 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023, about double the California average of 511 crimes per 100,000 residents, according to data from the San Bernardino Police, US Census and state Ministry of Justice.

The city’s estimated homicide rate in 2023 was 16.2 per 100,000 residents — more than triple the California average of 4.8 per 100,000 residents.

And while these numbers are terrible, they mark a notable improvement from 2022.

San Bernardino, without the CHP, has already made a year-over-year dent in its violent crime and homicide rates, which fell 11% and 50%, respectively, in 2023, according to SBPD data. Still, city officials say they welcome the boost to law enforcement, and CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said the partnership would strengthen ongoing efforts to improve public safety.

“This collaboration allows us to share resources, intelligence and expertise, increasing our ability to reduce crime and create a safer environment for all community members,” Duryee said in a statement. No information was available on the number of CHP officers who would be deployed to San Bernardino.

Newsom has already launched CHP operations in several other crime hotspots, including Oakland, San Francisco and Bakersfield. In total, these operations have resulted in more than 3,200 arrests, the recovery of nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 170 illegal firearms.

In San Bernardino, the operation will help combat ghost guns, illegal firearms that do not have serial numbers and are difficult for law enforcement agencies to link to crimes or owners.

Last year, San Bernardino County seized more than 4,700 ghost guns, more than any other county in California except Los Angeles.

San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said she was grateful for the CHP’s support in helping the city reduce crime rates and bust criminal enterprises that target neighborhoods and businesses.