Another Bay Area city pushing for CHP assistance from Newsom

VALLEJO, Calif. ( KRON ) — In the North Bay, a Vallejo city councilmember is pushing for the governor to deploy California Highway Patrol officers to her city’s streets, similar to how CHP officers are helping to crack down on crime in Oakland and San Francisco.

“The neighborhoods and the people are crying for help,” explained Vallejo City Councilmember Cristina Arriola.

Recent crimes in Vallejo have included a woman who was attacked at a stoplight while sitting in her own car, businesses burglarized, and countless illegal sideshows.

“We honestly need manpower, and I think that manpower can come from the CHP,” said Arriola.

Arriola highlighted Sonoma Boulevard — also known as State Route 29 — which runs through the city and, has often been plagued by car chases and other violent incidents. Arriola said if four CHP officers were assigned to the area full-time, it would reduce crime, make neighborhoods safer, and help a depleted police force.

“I believe the state, our governor, would better spend resources with the CHP in Vallejo, then having it wasted in Oakland and San Francisco where you won’t see the impact,” said Arriola. “I believe we will see an impact with highway patrol presence on Highway 29.”

Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to quadruple the number of CHP shifts in Oakland, while noting an earlier surge of officers has resulted in hundreds of arrests and the seizure of more than 1,100 stolen cars.

Meanwhile, it has been more than a year since the City of Vallejo declared a state of emergency.
The police department does not have a permanent police chief and the department’s latest statistics show it is operating at just 37 percent of its authorized staff.

When asked if it was fair to say there were less than 30 officers on duty at any one time, Arriola had a one-word answer.

“Yes.”

Arriola said the city has not made a formal request to the governor’s office for help but has been working with Democratic State Sen. Bill Dodd’s office for assistance. Earlier this year, a bill authorized by Dodd passed the senate and is in the assembly.

If it reaches the governor’s desk for a signature, it will allow qualified retired Solano County sheriff’s deputies to exceed the current cap on work hours for retired cops to assist in patrolling the streets of Vallejo.

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