SACRAMENTO:-  Continuing to prioritize local and state partnerships to keep Californians safe, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced significant accomplishments in battling organized retail theft and prosecuting criminals for their actions. Between October 2023 and March 2025, state-funded local law enforcement operations resulted in the arrest of more than 22,100 suspects and the referral of nearly 17,100 cases for prosecution. Through this state-funded work, law enforcement agencies have been able to recover nearly $150 million in stolen property.

The funding has provided 38 law enforcement agencies with over $242 million in funding for purchasing new equipment, launching enhanced enforcement operations, hiring new staff, and establishing partnerships with the retail community.

Proposed by Governor Newsom and distributed by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC), the grants have proved to be critical in supporting law enforcement and the retail community.

“The ORT grants have provided critical resources that enable our law enforcement partners to implement strategic, coordinated responses to combating organized retail theft,” said BSCC Board Chair Linda Penner. “These efforts are producing measurable results, strengthening public safety, and supporting the local retail economies with statewide success.”

Crime in California drops again
California is delivering on its promises – significant investments in public safety help ensure safety in communities statewide with lower crime rates in 2024. New data released by the California Department of Justice shows that in 2024, nearly every major crime category declined, including violent crime, property crime, homicides, aggravated assaults, motor vehicle theft, burglary, and robbery. The 2024 homicide rate is now the second lowest since at least 1966. The overall number of homicides decreased by nearly 12% since 2023. In addition, total full-time criminal justice personnel increased 1.9% from 2023 to 2024.

In addition, California continues to lead the way out of the COVID-induced crime surge, as the number of vehicles stolen statewide has dropped by 13% from 2023 to 2024 – the first year-over-year decrease since 2019. Of those vehicles stolen, nearly 92% of cars, trucks and SUVs successfully recovered.

Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.
California has invested $1.7 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced the largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety.

Last August, Governor Newsom signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills offer new tools to bolster ongoing efforts to hold criminals accountable for smash-and-grab robberies, property crime, retail theft, and auto burglaries. While California’s crime rate remains at near historic lows, these laws help California adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure perpetrators are effectively held accountable.

Regional, state, and local partnerships
Through expanded regional efforts with the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies, Governor Newsom has sought to strengthen efforts to fight vehicle theft through crime suppression operations in key areas, including Oakland, Bakersfield and San Bernardino. These ongoing regional operations have shown positive results throughout the broader communities in Alameda, Kern and San Bernardino counties. Working closely with local law enforcement agencies, auto thieves, repeat offenders and organized crime groups have been disrupted, and their activities have been thwarted.