Governor Gavin Newsome | Facebook Website
Governor Gavin Newsom has announced significant progress in the state's efforts to combat organized retail crime. In 2024, California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force conducted 879 investigations, resulting in 1,707 arrests and the recovery of 676,227 stolen items valued at $13.5 million.
"Public safety continues to be a priority for California," stated Governor Newsom. He expressed gratitude towards the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for their dedication to protecting communities across the state.
The CHP spearheaded efforts in January and February 2025, focusing on 136 retail theft investigations that led to 209 arrests and the recovery of 24,510 stolen goods worth nearly $2.2 million. "Organized retail crime threatens the safety of California’s communities and its businesses," said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. The commissioner emphasized their commitment to dismantling criminal networks and enhancing partnerships with retailers.
A notable operation by CHP officers took place in January through the Golden Gate Division, where a search warrant led to the recovery of 1,619 items valued at over $183,000. Seized items are cataloged and returned to retailers when possible.
Since its inception in 2019, the task force has been involved in over 3,600 investigations with more than 4,000 arrests and recovered goods valued at nearly $54 million.
Governor Newsom highlighted recent legislative actions aimed at cracking down on property crime. New bipartisan laws have established tougher penalties for repeat offenders and provided additional tools for felony prosecutions.
During last year's holiday season, proactive law enforcement operations were conducted by CHP alongside allied agencies to ensure safety for shoppers and merchants.
Governor Newsom has invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to enhance public safety measures across local governments. Last year alone saw $267 million distributed among local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime effectively.
Increased deployment of CHP officers in areas such as Oakland, Bakersfield, San Francisco, and San Bernardino is part of ongoing efforts under Governor Newsom's Real Public Safety Plan. This initiative aims to strengthen local law enforcement responses while holding perpetrators accountable.
Local law enforcement agencies receiving grants reported over 6,900 arrests related to retail theft within just six months into their grant cycles.
In response to these developments throughout California's fight against organized retail crime during recent years—particularly noting an annual increase by CHP reporting upsurge reaching up-to-310% concerning proactive operations—the state remains committed toward improving overall public safety standards statewide going forward into future endeavors combating this issue head-on together collaboratively amongst various stakeholders involved therein alike accordingly thereof henceforth thereby ultimately achieving desired outcomes sought after initially intended herein above mentioned previously heretofore forthwith likewise subsequently thereafter thereafterward onward continuously progressively moving ahead positively successfully productively constructively efficiently effectively efficaciously altogether collectively harmoniously cooperatively unitedly jointly concertedly conjointly concurrently simultaneously contemporaneously presently currently contemporarily modernly 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