Trump has begun another trade war. Here's a timeline of how we got here
Canada's leader laments lost friendship with US in town that sheltered stranded Americans after 9/11
Chinese EV giant BYD's fourth-quarter profit leaps 73%
You're an American in another land? Prepare to talk about the why and how of Trump 2.0
Chalk talk: Star power, top teams and No. 5 seeds headline the women's March Madness Sweet 16
Purdue returns to Sweet 16 with 76-62 win over McNeese in March Madness
In a decisive move against crime, California's San Bernardino operation — launched by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2024 — has yielded 858 arrests, 66 recovered stolen vehicles, and the confiscation of 28 illegal firearms, including 140 for felony offenses.
"As we continue prioritizing the safety and security of our communities statewide, the efforts done regionally in the San Bernardino area between state and local law enforcement are helping keep bad actors off the streets and holding them accountable for their actions," Newsom said.
The program deploys extra California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers throughout San Bernardino County, focusing on curbing property crimes and violent offenses. These specialized units work both on the ground and through aerial support to target illegal street racing activities and auto theft.
Law enforcement credited the enhanced resources with the March 16 arrest of a suspect in a freeway shooting. Authorities said advanced surveillance technology helped officers apprehend an individual who allegedly fired a semiautomatic handgun at another vehicle on the 10 Freeway. CHP personnel made the arrest the same day in a neighboring municipality.
The surveillance system implemented in the region allows officers to detect and track vehicles by characteristics other than license plates. Authorities receive instant notifications about suspect vehicles, similar to systems used to combat criminal activity in Northern California.
This multi-agency collaboration concentrates CHP resources in areas with elevated crime rates and is intended to address highway violence and criminal enterprises, particularly auto theft rings and organized retail theft. The state has established comparable CHP support operations in other regions in the state experiencing high crime rates, including Bakersfield and several Bay Area communities.
Last August, Newsom approved what his administration characterized as landmark bipartisan legislation targeting property crime. The new laws strengthen penalties for repeat offenders, expand prosecutorial options for felony cases, and intensify consequences for chronic shoplifting, retail theft, and vehicle break-ins.
California has invested $1.1 billion toward crime reduction efforts since 2019, funding local police hiring and public safety improvements. Newsom's 2023 Public Safety Plan included what officials described as unprecedented funding to fight organized retail crime, with a reported annual 310% increase in proactive enforcement operations against these criminal networks.
The San Bernardino operation continues as authorities evaluate its impact on regional crime statistics.
Related Articles:
