With the goal of helping San Bernardino police reduce violent crime and theft in their city, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a plan Monday for California Highway Patrol officers to provide support.

Recent statistics show that San Bernardino’s violent crime rate is nearly double the statewide average and its homicide rate more than three times the statewide average. In addition, the vehicle theft rate is among the highest in the state. Law enforcement also reported an increase in traffic and street violations, including sideshows, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

The governor’s plan will add law enforcement units on the ground and in the air, including some that target undercover activity and stolen vehicles. The CHP will also provide police with additional investigative support “to disrupt organized criminal activity and violent street gangs, take illegal guns off the street and help prevent gun violence,” the statement said.

Police said the number of highway patrol officers assisting police will depend on CHP staffing levels. In the first operation last weekend, the highway patrol had between 10 and 14 officers.

“Our community deserves to feel safe and we are committed to maintaining that positive momentum,” said Police Chief Darren Goodman. “This collaboration with the CHP will amplify our ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime, and we are confident that by working together, we can make a lasting impact.”

The program is ongoing and does not yet have a specific end date, police said.

Similar highway patrol operations in Oakland, San Francisco and Bakersfield resulted in more than 3,200 arrests, the recovery of nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles and 170 firearms and illegal drugs, including fentanyl.

Last year, Governor Newsom also gave more than $267 million to 55 local law enforcement agencies for arrest and prosecution. suspects of organized retail theftleading to more than 10,000 arrests in nine months. The Highway Patrol’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrested an additional 3,200 suspects, recovered more than 880,000 stolen items worth more than $46 million and conducted more than 3,000 investigations, the governor’s office said.

While San Bernardino has seen many crimes eclipse statewide averages, the city has seen a drop in violent crime over the past year, according to San Bernardino police. From the same period in 2023, murders are down 33 percent, aggravated assaults are down 17 percent and robberies are down 15 percent, police said.