Since the California Highway Patrol increased its operations in Oakland in February, officers have recovered more than 2,000 stolen vehicles, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday in a press release.
Newsom deployed more CHP officers to Oakland in response to a rise in crime in Alameda County. He launched a new operation in February and sent additional resources to Oakland in July.
Since then, CHP has recovered 2,213 stolen vehicles, arrested 1,125 people, and seized 110 illegal firearms, according to Newsom’s office. Since July, those numbers include 920 recovered vehicles, 524 arrests, and 52 seized firearms.
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Last weekend, CHP cracked down on sideshows in Oakland, investigating several events, arresting 22 people, and impounding 36 vehicles.
“Our recent work in Oakland should send a strong message that lawlessness and crime will not be tolerated in our state,” Newsom said.
New cameras installed by the state contributed to the arrests, helping CHP locate vehicles and people involved in the sideshows.