Newsom boosts Calif. Highway Patrol presence to curb holiday retail crime
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
4:54 PM – Monday, November 27, 2023
A recent mandate from Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to enhance support against the surge in retail crime during the Christmas season.
As part of his “Real Public Safety Plan,” Newsom (D-Calif.) announced that the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force and a “stronger law enforcement presence” will be deployed in “key retail districts” across the state.
The governor emphasized the immediate apprehension and incarceration of anyone who steals merchandise from retailers this holiday season. This stance surprised many, as Newsom is known for being more lenient on crime compared to other governors, even those from his own party.
The press statement comes in response to ongoing criticism from California residents and business owners, who argue that the enforcement of retail crime has become ineffective in recent years.
Employees at major shopping malls and clothing stores in California claim that they have been instructed not to intervene when criminals commit theft due to concerns over potential lawsuits and legal issues.
“When criminals run out of stores with stolen goods, they need to be arrested and escorted directly into jail cells. Leveraging hundreds of millions of dollars in law enforcement investments, the California Highway Patrol—working with allied agencies—is increasing enforcement efforts and conducting and supporting covert and confidential takedowns to stop these criminals in their tracks during the holiday season and year-round,” Newsom said.
Newsom pledged $267 million in grants to 55 towns and counties in California in September, marking the state’s largest-ever commitment in the fight against retail crime.
In regions with high rates of retail crime such as Southern California, the Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento, the CHP and its task force will now have a more visible presence. They will collaborate with local law enforcement, loss prevention, and other departments.
“The men and women of the California Highway Patrol are working around the clock to keep shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe this holiday season—and year-round,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a press release.
“Much of our task force’s success can be attributed to the strong working relationships we have with our law enforcement partners throughout the state and the rapport we have cultivated with the retail industry. Working together with our partners and utilizing the CHP’s extensive statewide resources, we are cracking down and stopping unacceptable criminal activity,” he continued.
The National Retail Federation’s 2023 report ranks three major California cities among the top 10 cities in the country most affected by organized retail crime. Los Angeles takes the first place, followed by San Francisco and Oakland. Sacramento ranks seventh.
To combat organized retail crime, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass announced that the Los Angeles Police Department and other regional law enforcement agencies will establish a new task force.
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What was Governor Gavin Newsom’s motivation for taking a strong stand against retail crime in California?
Title: California Governor Gavin Newsom Takes Strong Stand Against Retail Crime
Introduction
In response to the rise in retail crime during the holiday season, California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a mandate to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to intensify their efforts in combatting this issue. As part of his “Real Public Safety Plan,” Newsom aims to enhance support and increase law enforcement presence in key retail districts across the state. This article will delve into the details of this mandate and its significance in addressing the ongoing challenge of retail crime in California.
Governor Newsom’s Stance
Governor Newsom, a Democrat, surprised many by emphasizing the immediate apprehension and incarceration of individuals involved in retail crime. This tough stance stands in contrast to his reputation of being more lenient towards criminal offenses compared to other governors of his party. The decision has been motivated by mounting criticism from California residents and business owners who believe that the enforcement of retail crime has become ineffective in recent years.
Concerns Faced by Retail Employees
Employees at major shopping malls and clothing stores in California have claimed that they are instructed not to intervene when theft occurs due to concerns over potential lawsuits and legal issues. This lack of intervention has allowed criminals to operate with relative impunity, resulting in increased instances of retail crime.
The California Highway Patrol’s Approach
To address this issue, Governor Newsom has directed the CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force to have a more visible presence in regions with high rates of retail crime. These regions include Southern California, the Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, and Sacramento. The CHP will collaborate with local law enforcement, loss prevention teams, and other relevant departments to create a more formidable defense against organized retail crime. Newsom’s recent commitment of $267 million in grants to 55 towns and counties in California indicates the state’s largest-ever investment in the fight against retail crime.
Collaboration and Success
The success of the CHP’s task force can largely be attributed to their strong working relationships with law enforcement partners throughout the state, as well as the rapport they have built with the retail industry. By leveraging the CHP’s extensive statewide resources and working closely with partners, the task force aims to crack down on criminal activity and put a stop to unacceptable behavior.
National Retail Federation’s Report
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2023 report, three major California cities, namely Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland, rank among the top 10 cities most affected by organized retail crime. Los Angeles takes the first position, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat this issue. In response, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has announced the establishment of a new task force consisting of the Los Angeles Police Department and other regional law enforcement agencies.
Conclusion
Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent mandate to strengthen the fight against retail crime represents a significant step towards enhancing public safety and protecting the rights of businesses and consumers in California. By bolstering law enforcement presence and encouraging immediate apprehension of offenders, Newsom aims to restore confidence in the retail industry and serve as a deterrent to those involved in criminal activities during the holiday season and beyond.
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