California’s public safety strategy works: Governor Newsom’s commitment helps lower crime as new study shows violence prevention saves lives

New UC Berkeley study finds a community violence intervention program caused a 61% decline in the city’s firearm homicides and shootings

SACRAMENTO – From putting more law enforcement officers on the streets and taking fentanyl and stolen goods out of circulation to investing in community violence prevention programs that save lives, Governor Gavin Newsom this week highlighted the results of California’s sustained commitment to public safety which has helped California achieve record-low crime rates. 

California’s homicide rate fell to 3.5 per 100,000 people in 2025 — the lowest rate since statewide reporting began in 1966 — while every major crime category declined. A new UC Berkeley study released this week confirmed what the data already shows: that California’s violence prevention strategies are producing nation-leading results. 

New study confirms California’s strategies work

Researchers found Richmond’s community violence intervention program was responsible for an estimated 61% reduction in firearm homicides and injury shootings over 14 years. In addition to a steady stream of funding from the city, Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety has received $10 million from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections. 

This new study from the UC Berkeley Center for Global Healthy Cities documents the sustained, citywide impact of a community violence intervention program over more than a decade. Researchers compared Richmond with dozens of similar U.S. cities and found that the reductions in firearm violence grew as the program continued operating.

The findings underscore California’s broader approach to public safety – when pairing strong law enforcement with targeted prevention and intervention strategies that interrupt violence before it happens.

California put robust state investment in community violence intervention on the map. What began as a $9 million-a-year program grew roughly eightfold—more than the state had invested in all prior years combined—and the Governor signed Assembly Bill 28, creating the first dedicated funding stream for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program. 

In addition, the state is ranked #1 in the nation for gun law strength by both the Giffords Law Center and Everytown for Gun Safety and consistently maintains one of the nation’s lowest firearm death rates.

California crime rates fall to historic lows

California’s latest statewide crime data show declines across every major category in 2025.

Compared with 2024, California saw:

• Homicide: ↓ 18.6%
• Robbery: ↓ 19.9%
• Property crime: ↓ 14.3%
• Motor vehicle theft: ↓ 25.8%
• Violent crime: ↓ 10.2%

Since Governor Newsom took office, homicide is down 20%, robbery is down 31%, property crime is down 24%, motor vehicle theft is down 19%, and violent crime is down 3%.

The Governor’s public safety strategy has included investments in law enforcement, partnerships with local agencies, organized crime enforcement, gun safety, drug interdiction and violence prevention.

Crime Suppression Teams deliver results statewide

Governor Newsom has expanded the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) capacity to target the criminals and organized networks driving crime.

Since launching in 2023, CHP Crime Suppression Teams have made 15,197 arrests, recovered 7,042 stolen vehicles and seized 656 illicit firearms.

CHP Crime Suppression Teams operate across six regions, working alongside local law enforcement to bring more officers, intelligence and sustained enforcement to communities where it is needed most. The partnership between CHP and local law enforcement agencies targets auto theft, violent crime, organized criminal activity, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and other crimes that do not stop at a city or county line.

Investing in the next generation of CHP officers

Governor Newsom also visited the CHP Academy this week to meet with senior cadets preparing to serve communities across California.

Nearly 400 cadets are expected to graduate in 2026, bringing the total number of CHP cadets who have entered the department since Governor Newsom took office to more than 2,900.

The Governor’s commitment to adding 1,000 CHP officers — announced in 2022 — was achieved ahead of schedule in 2024. The additional capacity has helped CHP expand its role in combating auto theft, organized crime and illegal firearms.

Cracking down on organized retail theft

California is also continuing its aggressive crackdown on organized retail theft, backed by the largest-ever state investment in the effort.

Since October 2023, California law enforcement agencies have made 35,907 arrests, referred 28,667 cases for prosecution and recovered more than $293.4 million in stolen property.

The state has invested more than $242 million in 38 law enforcement agencies and provided more than $24 million to 13 district attorneys for vertical prosecution of organized retail theft cases.

Taking fentanyl off California streets

California’s public safety strategy is also focused on disrupting the criminal networks trafficking fentanyl into communities.

Since 2021, California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force analysts have supported law enforcement in intercepting approximately 39,644 pounds of fentanyl and 54.6 million fentanyl pills, with an estimated street value of $534 million.

At the same time, California has paired enforcement with lifesaving prevention measures. The state’s Naloxone Distribution Project has supported more than 460,000 overdose reversals.

Keeping dangerous hemp, kratom and 7-OH products off store shelves

Governor Newsom is also taking action to protect Californians from illegal and potentially dangerous intoxicating products, with nearly 15,300 illegal hemp, kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products removed from California store shelves.

California’s latest enforcement results show continued near-universal compliance among Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensees. State officials conducted 23,667 site visits related to hemp, identifying 158 violations and removing 7,403 illegal hemp products from store shelves, with 99.33% compliance. For kratom and 7-OH, officials conducted 8,038 site visits, identified 181 violations and removed 7,888 prohibited products, with 97.75% compliance.

The results reflect the Governor’s approach of making the rules clear, working directly with businesses to achieve compliance and using targeted enforcement against those who refuse to follow the law.

A public safety strategy built around what works

From historic investments in law enforcement to community-based violence prevention, California is taking a comprehensive approach to making communities safer.

Governor Newsom began making public safety a priority from day one — building the foundation for safer communities through stronger gun laws, expanded violence prevention, tougher action against organized crime and fentanyl trafficking, and deeper partnerships between state and local law enforcement. 

Year after year, his Administration added capacity: more CHP officers, new Crime Suppression Teams, expanded counterdrug operations, record investments in community violence prevention and stronger tools to hold offenders accountable. 

Then, he took his properties statewide – and that sustained commitment is now delivering results. 

Crime is falling, law enforcement capacity is growing, deadly drugs and illegal firearms are being seized, stolen property is being recovered, and new research is showing that targeted violence prevention can save lives.

This progress didn’t happen overnight; it reflects years of investing in enforcement, accountability and prevention — and staying focused on what works.