Residents of Vallejo, California, are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers to address the city’s worsening crime problem. The Bay Area community has been grappling with a surge in illegal activities, including dangerous car sideshows, drug crimes, shootings, rampant shoplifting, and prostitution.
Paula Conley, a Vallejo resident, launched a petition on Change.org calling for increased CHP and sheriff presence, citing concerns about safety and the severe understaffing of the local police department. Conley wrote, “We deserve a clean and safe city where we can live without fear.” The petition, which has garnered over 3,500 signatures as of Monday, highlights the need for immediate action to restore order.
The call for assistance comes after a string of high-profile incidents, including an August car sideshow in Vallejo that resulted in one death and another person injured. Video footage from the event underscored the city’s struggles with lawlessness.
Governor Newsom has acknowledged Vallejo’s challenges but emphasized that local leadership must address staffing shortages in its police department. He stated that while the state is willing to provide support, the responsibility for public safety ultimately rests with the city’s administration. In September, Newsom signed emergency legislation allowing retired Solano County
sheriff’s deputies to rejoin the force full-time to alleviate Vallejo’s public safety crisis.
CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp confirmed that the agency has been assisting Vallejo police since the summer. Conley pointed out that Vallejo’s problems mirror those of larger cities like Oakland, where CHP officers were deployed earlier this year. “It’s going to take manpower to really help us,” she said, echoing the sentiment of many residents.
Despite state efforts, Vallejo’s crime issues remain a pressing concern. Conley described the situation as a “man-made disaster,” calling for immediate and sustained intervention to restore safety and order. The petition’s growing support reflects widespread frustration and a community desperate for solutions.
