In the weeks following a mass shooting in Stockton that left four people dead — including three children — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state will expand the deployment of California Highway Patrol officers in the city as part of broader efforts to address crime and violence.
Local authorities and law enforcement agencies say they welcome the additional support.
The governor’s office did not disclose how many officers will be sent to Stockton or when they will arrive, describing the effort as the deployment of “dedicated teams” from CHP. The officers are expected to work alongside local agencies to support crime suppression efforts, including targeting repeat offenders and seizing illegal weapons and narcotics.
The announcement comes after a shooting at a north Stockton home during a child’s birthday party, an incident that prompted community vigils and renewed attention on public safety concerns in the city.
The Stockton Police Department said it welcomed increased state support and presence in the area, highlighting the department’s ongoing collaboration with CHP.
“We appreciate the additional dedicated resources allocated for the Stockton community, and we will continue to build on our partnership with CHP to mitigate crime in our community,” Stockton police spokesperson David Scott said in a statement to Stocktonia.
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi also expressed support for the expanded CHP presence, citing the need to reassure residents following the Thanksgiving weekend attack at a 2-year-old’s birthday party.
“Stockton families deserve to feel safe in their city, especially in light of the recent tragedy,” Fugazi said in a statement. “The additional officers and support to local law enforcement will help to make our city safer for everyone.”
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office was not directly notified of expanded CHP deployment to the Stockton area, only becoming aware of the announcement after it was released, but the department described the news as positive.
“We welcome and appreciate any additional resources or support from partner agencies,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Heather Brent said in a statement. “Effective communication and coordination are essential to ensure agencies remain aligned on public safety efforts.”
The Sheriff’s Office added that it remains committed to working collaboratively with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to serve and protect communities throughout the county.
Newsom said the CHP expansion builds on crime suppression teams launched earlier this year in regions across California, including the Central Valley, Sacramento Valley, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area.
“California is stepping up to increase public safety in Stockton,” Newsom said in the state’s announcement. “We can’t do this work without our CHP officers and local law enforcement working in partnership.”
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee also said the increased presence is intended to support local agencies and maintain a visible law enforcement presence following the mass shooting.
State officials have not said how long the additional CHP deployment in Stockton will remain in place.
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