After Nearly 700 Arrests, Bakersfield–CHP Partnership Expires

The four-month collaboration, focusing on Southern California’s Kern County, recovered more than 300 stolen vehicles and 16 crime-linked firearms.

A police car patrols the streets of Bakersfield, Calif., on Nov. 17, 2017. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has concluded a four-month partnership with Bakersfield police to tackle organized crime and vehicle thefts, returning 677 arrests since the effort began in March.

“Working alongside our local partners in Bakersfield, the CHP has made significant progress in recovering stolen vehicles, removing crime-linked guns from the streets, and arresting offenders,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a July 2 press release announcing the results.