Image by: The Office of the Governor of the State of California
On August 28th, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he is sending more California Highway Patrol officers to major cities across the state. The purpose of this initiative is to address rising concerns over things such as auto theft, retail crime, and drug trafficking. This announcement comes shortly after President Donald J. Trump threatened to deploy federal troops to cities including San Francisco, sparking a major nationwide debate.
In response, Gavin Newsom plans to take control on the state level. By taking action at the state level, Newson appears to be signaling that California can handle its own public safety challenges without federal intervention. This move highlights an ongoing tension between the local, state, and national approaches to crime prevention. While increased patrols may have reduced incidents such as car break-ins, many critics question whether law enforcement alone can address the deeper social and economic issues that often contribute to crime.
Newsom says local communities can best tackle crime in their communities can best tackle crime in their communities. During a press conference in his executive office overlooking the state Capitol, Newsom also held up flyers showcasing Republican politicians whose states have higher murder rates in California.
In the Bay Area, many high school students feel that additional officers may only provide temporary relief rather than sustainable change. Shaan Shinde went to Washington High School and graduated in 2024. He is currently a freshman at Arizona State. He states that “there’s better stuff to be putting money into, especially like healthcare. The amount of money people put into healthcare is absurd and many people are unable to afford it. I feel the funding for the patrol officers could do far better in the hands of people who need it.” This quote highlights concerns about misplaced funding priorities, suggesting that resources distributed to patrol officers would have a greater impact if they were redirected towards healthcare.
Bay Area residents should be watching closely to see how the deployment unfolds. If crime decreases, it could strengthen Gavin Newsom’s case that state led solutions are both more effective and more appropriate than federal interventions. But on the other hand, if it falls short, the move could be remembered more as a political gesture than a longer lasting solution to crime.
John Reilly V is a senior at Washington High School and has lived in Fremont, California his whole life. This is his first year in Journalism, and he is excited to write about the news for Washington High School. He is currently a member of the Varsity Cross Country team, and soon to be part of the Basketball and Track & Field teams. John doesn’t have concrete plans outside of high school, but he is certain that he wants to expand his passion for journalism outside of school.