Gov. Newsom announces partnership between CHP & Bakersfield police to crackdown on crime [Video]

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Governor Gavin Newsom announced a crime suppression partnership between California Highway Patrol and Bakersfield police Wednesday, in an effort to crackdown on crime in the Central Valley.

CHP is set to expand enforcement actions in and around Bakersfield to address auto theft, retail crime, and high-visibility proactive traffic enforcement.

Kern County’s has higher rates of property crime, violent crime, and arrest rates compared to the Golden State’s average crime rates. BPD and CHP will be patrolling high-crime areas of mutual interest, aiming to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity in the area, specifically vehicle theft and organized retail crime.

Through the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program, the state awarded BPD with $6.2 million to target and respond to organized retail theft, motor vehicle motor vehicle accessory theft and cargo theft. The statewide program is the biggest single investment to tackle organized retail crime in the Golden State’s history.

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