Newsom Expands CHP Crime Teams To LA As Trump Threatens To ‘Clean Up’ Democrat-Led Cities

LOS ANGELES, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom will deploy new California Highway Patrol "crime suppression teams" in the state's largest metro areas — including Los Angeles County — as part of an effort to aid local law enforcement's crime-fighting efforts, he announced Thursday.

The deployment is modeled after what Newsom termed successful efforts that are already underway in Oakland, Bakersfield and San Bernardino, where CHP officers assigned to crime suppression teams work alongside local police and sheriff's departments.

The expanded effort will see similar plans put in place in the following regions: San Diego, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Central Valley, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Newsom said the teams will:

• "Identify and suppress criminal activity in high-crime areas through data and intelligence-led policing."
• "Conduct proactive enforcement operations designed to deter and disrupt organized crime."
• "Provide increased CHP visibility and presence in communities most impacted by crime."
• "Support local law enforcement by sharing intelligence, coordinating enforcement, and assisting with investigations."
• "Maintain strict accountability through structured leadership, clear reporting, and operational oversight."

"When the state and local communities work together strategically, public safety improves. While the Trump Administration undermines cities, California is partnering with them — and delivering real results. With these new deployments, we’re doubling down on these partnerships to build on progress and keep driving crime down," Newsom said.

In the cities where the teams have already been deployed, they've assisted with crackdowns on retail theft, stolen vehicles and drug dealing, Cal Matters reported.

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump has ramped up his threats of using the military to "clean up" Democratic-led cities nationwide.

Most recently, Trump threatened to deploy troops to Baltimore as part of a clash with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

"If Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the 'troops,' which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime," Trump wrote on social media.

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

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a statement lauded Newsom as a "collaborative partner" and said she looked forward to working with the CHP.

"The best way to address crime and other top challenges is through partnership and this is an example of that. In close collaboration with LAPD and community organizations, we will continue to hold people accountable and implement comprehensive strategies to keep Angelenos safe," Bass said.

The new teams would include at least 12 to 15 officers who would focus on problems flagged by local officials, Cal Matters reported.