Gov. Newsom deploying 120 more CHP officers to Oakland in effort to crack down on crime

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- In August, the California governor assigned six extra police officers to Oakland. And now, more officers are coming to Oakland in an effort to crack down on crime.

On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom says he is deploying an additional 120 California Highway Patrol officers to the East Bay after 2023 crime statistics show violent crime in Oakland is up 21%, robberies are up 38% and car thefts are up 45%.

It's part of a "law enforcement surge operation."

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"For the governor to send us 120 highway patrol officers- I am in complete support of that and I'm going to even add send me the national guard if you have to!," said Oakland City Councilman Noel Gallo.

"OPD is working with the CHP on the actual date of the rollout and the plan. However we could see it in as soon as in a week I would say. But we have to be able to work together to layer on the services so we can utilize all the services we can get from CHP," said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

The governors office indicated that could include the actual deployment of long promised license plate reader technology along with K-9s and air support.

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"Unfortunately the data is mixed on whether or not having more police officers is going to impact the foundation of what is causing high crime. I don't care how many police officers you bring in. Police can't be everywhere. Without a top cop you don't have a vision for law enforcement in the city," said Criminal Justice professor Lisa Hill from Cal State East Bay.

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The mayor said in response: "I am hoping with the new march deadline from the police commission that they will forward me stronger applicants. They'll be actually doing the traffic stops if you're speeding, running red lights or what have you. They will be doing the traffic stops. They will also be in key corridors like our Hegenberger corridor where the airport is at and our business districts."

The mayor says this infusion of 120 CHP officers will focus not just on Oakland, but in neighboring cities as well.

It's still unclear how long the additional officers will work in the area.

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