Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday the deployment of California Highway Patrol (CHP) "crime suppression teams" to six major regions across the state, intensifying efforts to combat crime. This initiative follows Newsom's public criticism of President Donald Trump's recent deployments of the National Guard in cities like Washington, D.C., highlighting a political divergence in approaches to public safety.
The newly deployed CHP teams will be dispatched to San Diego, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, the Central Valley, Sacramento, and the San Francisco Bay Area. These specialized units are tasked with saturating high-crime areas, actively targeting repeat offenders, and seizing illicit weapons and narcotics. CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee stated, "These crime suppression teams will provide critical support to our local partners by focusing on crime where it happens most."
While Governor Newsom denied his announcement was a direct response to President Trump's actions, he explicitly contrasted California's collaborative approach with what he termed the "militarizing American cities" strategy of the Trump administration. Newsom has previously criticized the deployment of federal forces, including the National Guard, without the consent of local and state authorities. He also highlighted crime statistics from Republican-led states, suggesting "blatant hypocrisy" in the national dialogue on crime.
The expansion builds upon existing successful CHP operations in cities such as Oakland, Bakersfield, and San Bernardino, which the Governor's office credits with significant crime reductions. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the state's assistance, emphasizing the value of partnership in addressing public safety. However, some criminal justice advocacy groups have expressed a preference for a "shared safety strategy" that balances law enforcement with investments in prevention and community programs.