Newsom expands CHP Crime Suppression Teams in San Bernardino

Building on positive outcomes that have reduced crime in the city, Governor Gavin Newsom is expanding deployment of the California Highway Patrol in San Bernardino. The officers will work hand-in-hand with city officials and local law enforcement to saturate high-crime areas, target repeat offenders, and seize illicit weapons and narcotics.

“When the state and local communities work together strategically, public safety improves,” Newsom said in a statement. “With these new deployments, we’re doubling down on these partnerships to build on progress and keep driving crime down.”

The Crime Suppression Teams are not new to San Bernardino. Since October 2024, part-time officers have been deployed in the area and have significantly reduced property theft and violent crime, including gun violence. Officials have made 357 felony arrests, 1,617 misdemeanor arrests, 170 DUI arrests, seized 145 stolen vehicles, and removed 82 illicit firearms.

CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said the new “crime suppression” teams would be at least 12 to 15 officers and focus on problems flagged by local officials, which could include illegal street racing and open-air drug markets.

“These crime suppression teams will provide critical support to our local partners by focusing on crime where it happens most,”  Duryee said in a statement. “By combining resources, intelligence, and personnel, we can better disrupt criminal activity and strengthen the safety and security of communities across California.”