California Increases Law Enforcement Operations Heading Into Holiday Shopping Season To Combat Organized Retail Crime
The Californer/10262034

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SACRAMENTO ~ As the holiday shopping season begins, California is cracking down on organized retail crime with the help of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the CHP is increasing its law enforcement presence in key retail districts across California and its Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) is increasing enforcement efforts through proactive and confidential law enforcement operations with allied agencies.

"When criminals run out of stores with stolen goods, they need to be arrested and escorted directly into jail cells," said Newsom. "Leveraging hundreds of millions of dollars in law enforcement investments, the California Highway Patrol — working with allied agencies — is increasing enforcement efforts and conducting and supporting covert and confidential takedowns to stop these criminals in their tracks during the holiday season, and year-round."

CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee added, "The men and women of the California Highway Patrol are working around the clock to keep shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe this holiday season — and year-round. Much of our task force's success can be attributed to the strong working relationships we have with our law enforcement partners throughout the state and the rapport we have cultivated with the retail industry. Working together with our partners, and utilizing the CHP's extensive statewide resources, we are cracking down and stopping unacceptable criminal activity."

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The additional law enforcement presence across California is an effort to keep shoppers and merchants safe while catching retail criminals in the act. To help reduce the amount of retail crime that occurs during this time of year, regional teams from Southern California, Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento will be collaborating with retailers, loss prevention personnel, local law enforcement agencies as well as conducting proactive operations with allied agencies throughout California.

Since 2019 when ORCTF was established by CHP investigators have been involved in nearly 2200 investigations leading to arrests of more than 1500 suspects as well as recovery of 420 000 items worth $33 million. In addition to this Governor Newsom announced earlier this year that $267 million was awarded to 55 cities/counties for increased arrests/prosecutions for organized retail crime.

Public safety funding in California has reached an all-time high due to investments made by Governor Newsom's Real Public Safety Plan which focuses on strengthening local law enforcement response as well as getting guns/drugs off streets. The 2023-24 budget includes more than $800 million for multiple programs aimed at improving public safety/cracking down on retail crime.

A virtual media briefing highlighting CHP's increased holiday enforcement efforts along with those from Los Angeles/San Francisco can be viewed online.

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