Governor Gavin Newsom has allocated $267 million in new state grant funding to combat organized retail crimes in California. The funds will be distributed to 34 police departments, seven sheriff’s offices, one probation department, and 13 district attorney’s offices across the state. The aim is to crack down on organized retail theft, property crime, and car theft.
In a meeting with San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, Police Chief Bill Scott, and Los Angeles County’s assistant sheriff, Governor Newsom discussed the plans behind these funds. The grant money will be disbursed over the next three years, starting from October 1.
One of the recipients of the grant is Palo Alto police, who will receive $5.1 million. The department plans to use the funds to increase staff and patrolling, as well as acquiring new electronics like GPS to aid in apprehending criminals who flee the scene.
However, the City of Oakland is not on the list of recipients. The NAACP has stated that Oakland city leaders failed to submit a completed application by the deadline. The NAACP expressed disappointment, asserting that this is a blow to citizens and small businesses who had hoped for crime prevention measures funded by the grants. The money could have been used for additional police patrols, squad cars, and automated license plate readers to track down suspected perpetrators of crimes.
KRON4 reached out to the City of Oakland for comment but has not received a response yet.
The grant funding aims to address the persistent issue of organized retail crimes in California, which has seen a rise in property crime, stealing, and car theft. By allocating these funds to law enforcement agencies, the state hopes to enhance their ability to combat such crimes effectively.
With the grant distributed across various law enforcement departments, it is expected that there will be a coordinated effort to tackle organized retail crimes and ensure the safety and security of communities in California. The funds will play a crucial role in equipping law enforcement agencies with the necessary resources and personnel to enforce the law and bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.
Over the next three years, Californians can expect to see increased police presence, better patrolling, and advancements in technology, such as the use of GPS, to aid in the apprehension and prosecution of criminals involved in organized retail crimes.
Governor Newsom’s allocation of $267 million reflects the commitment of the state of California to address the issue of organized retail crimes effectively. With the collaboration of state and local law enforcement agencies, it is hoped that this funding will make a significant impact in reducing such crimes and creating safer communities.
