The California Highway Patrol is responding to property thefts, shootings and more in the city of San Bernardino, where violent crime rates are about double the state average.

The CHP surge operation will add law enforcement units on the ground and in the air to help the San Bernardino Police Department target shows, stolen vehicles, ghost guns and street gangs, said Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the program launch. The partnership aims to strengthen public safety in one of California’s most crime-ridden cities.

The city of San Bernardino had an estimated violent crime rate of 1,059 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023, about double the California average of 511 crimes per 100,000 residents, according to data from the San Bernardino Police Department, US Census and state Ministry of Justice.

The city’s estimated homicide rate in 2023 was 16.2 per 100,000 residents, more than triple the California average of 4.8 per 100,000 residents.

And while these numbers are dire, they mark a notable improvement over 2022.

San Bernardino, without the CHP, has already reduced year-over-year violent crime and homicide rates, which fell by 11% and 50%, respectively, in 2023, according to SBPD data. Still, city officials say they are pleased with the increased enforcement, and CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said the partnership will enhance ongoing efforts to improve public safety.

“This collaboration allows us to share resources, intelligence and expertise, strengthening our ability to reduce crime and create a safer environment for all members of the community,” Duryee said in a statement. No information was available on how many CHP officers would be deployed to San Bernardino.

Newsom has already launched CHP reinforcement operations in several other crime hot spots, including Oakland, San Francisco and Bakersfield. These operations resulted in the accumulation of more than 3,200 arrests, the recovery of nearly 3,000 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 170 illegal firearms.

In San Bernardino, the operation will help combat ghost guns, illegal firearms that do not have serial numbers and are difficult for law enforcement to link to crimes or owners.

Last year, San Bernardino County seized more than 4,700 ghost guns, more than any other county in California except Los Angeles.

San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran said she is grateful for the CHP’s support to help the city continue to reduce crime rates and apprehend criminal enterprises targeting neighborhoods and businesses.