Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers will remain deployed in Oakland for an additional month, as the city grapples with leadership upheaval following recent recalls of key officials.
The extension comes amid ongoing challenges in Oakland, where voters recently recalled both Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the handling of public safety issues.
"This is a spectacular city and it remains a spectacular city, but it's lost its way a little bit," Newsom stated during a news conference in Oakland.
The governor expressed frustration with local officials for not revising a policy that restricts police pursuits of fleeing suspects, calling it an "extreme outlier" compared to other cities. He noted that Oakland leadership had "turned their back" on his previous requests for policy changes.
The CHP presence, which began in February with 120 officers and was later expanded, aims to address organized thefts, illegal drug sales, and carjackings. The deployment is part of a broader state effort to support local law enforcement in various California cities.
While some welcome the extended police presence, critics argue that increased law enforcement is not the solution. James Burch of the Anti-Police Terror Project voiced concerns about the governor's push to change pursuit policies, citing risks to bystanders during police chases.
The extension coincides with new anti-theft laws taking effect in January and prosecutors beginning to charge repeat offenders under recently passed Proposition 36. The state legislature has approved multiple bills targeting repeat retail theft offenders and streamlining prosecution of large theft operations.
As Oakland awaits special elections to fill its leadership vacancies, the city continues to face challenges with property crimes, particularly car break-ins, despite general crime rates dropping in California's largest counties.