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With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the California Highway Patrol is collaborating with local law enforcement agencies to aggressively investigate organized retail crimes, make arrests, and recover stolen merchandise from brick-and-mortar and online retail stores throughout the state.
The CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, or ORCTF, assists local law enforcement agencies and pursues leads, identifies suspects, and supports criminal investigations.
Immediately following the high-profile burglaries in the Bay Area this weekend, the CHP contacted the local agencies investigating the crimes and offered assistance.
As a result, effective immediately, the CHP is increasing patrols on the freeway corridors adjacent to major shopping centers.
Since its creation in 2019, the CHP’s ORCTF, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, has participated in 773 investigations, made 240 arrests, and assisted in the recovery of more than $18.9 million in merchandise.
“The CHP remains steadfast in its efforts to help reduce organized retail theft,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “We are collaborating with local law enforcement and district attorneys to apprehend and prosecute the criminals involved in this nefarious activity.”
As California’s state law enforcement agency, the CHP can assist local authorities with complex investigations that extend beyond their jurisdictions or as requested.
The ORCTF provides local law enforcement with logistical support and resources, including personnel and equipment.
Every ORCTF team throughout the state shares information between law enforcement agencies and California’s retailers, and has committed CHP detectives to investigate these crimes and enhance the safety of the public as they shop throughout California.
According to the National Retail Federation, organized retail theft accounts for an estimated $30 billion in economic loss each year nationwide.
Organized retail theft typically involves a criminal enterprise with multiple theft rings at numerous retail stores and uses a fencing operation to sell the stolen goods.
Retailers carry losses from theft on several levels and ultimately the cost is passed on to consumers through price inflation to offset the economic loss.
If you observe organized theft:
• Do not attempt to intervene.
• Note what the people involved look like.
• If possible, obtain a license plate and vehicle description.
• Be cautious — multiple suspects can be involved in these thefts.
• Report all suspicious activity to the store manager or police when safe to do so.
• Submit pictures or video of the suspects or criminal activity to law enforcement, if you can do so safely.
• Report organized retail theft incidents to CHP online at https://www.chp.ca.gov/notify-chp/organized-retail-theft-program.
The CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force, or ORCTF, assists local law enforcement agencies and pursues leads, identifies suspects, and supports criminal investigations.
Immediately following the high-profile burglaries in the Bay Area this weekend, the CHP contacted the local agencies investigating the crimes and offered assistance.
As a result, effective immediately, the CHP is increasing patrols on the freeway corridors adjacent to major shopping centers.
Since its creation in 2019, the CHP’s ORCTF, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, has participated in 773 investigations, made 240 arrests, and assisted in the recovery of more than $18.9 million in merchandise.
“The CHP remains steadfast in its efforts to help reduce organized retail theft,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “We are collaborating with local law enforcement and district attorneys to apprehend and prosecute the criminals involved in this nefarious activity.”
As California’s state law enforcement agency, the CHP can assist local authorities with complex investigations that extend beyond their jurisdictions or as requested.
The ORCTF provides local law enforcement with logistical support and resources, including personnel and equipment.
Every ORCTF team throughout the state shares information between law enforcement agencies and California’s retailers, and has committed CHP detectives to investigate these crimes and enhance the safety of the public as they shop throughout California.
According to the National Retail Federation, organized retail theft accounts for an estimated $30 billion in economic loss each year nationwide.
Organized retail theft typically involves a criminal enterprise with multiple theft rings at numerous retail stores and uses a fencing operation to sell the stolen goods.
Retailers carry losses from theft on several levels and ultimately the cost is passed on to consumers through price inflation to offset the economic loss.
If you observe organized theft:
• Do not attempt to intervene.
• Note what the people involved look like.
• If possible, obtain a license plate and vehicle description.
• Be cautious — multiple suspects can be involved in these thefts.
• Report all suspicious activity to the store manager or police when safe to do so.
• Submit pictures or video of the suspects or criminal activity to law enforcement, if you can do so safely.
• Report organized retail theft incidents to CHP online at https://www.chp.ca.gov/notify-chp/organized-retail-theft-program.
If harnessing your inner chef with creative culinary skills this Thanksgiving is at the top of your holiday to-do list, make sure you don’t leave your cooking area unattended so that cooking accidents can be avoided.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Data Center, cooking is the leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires and more than half (54%) of these fires occurred between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when many people are preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
“Thanksgiving Day is one of our busiest days responding to home cooking fires, and we want to reduce that number by practicing fire safety,” said Chief Thom Porter, Cal Fire director. “There are so many things that can happen in your kitchen while you are preparing meals, and it is easy to become distracted while cooking for family and friends. On Thanksgiving Day, with all the commotion near hot appliances, make sure to always stand next to the oven or stove when you are cooking to avoid any mishaps in the kitchen.”
Per the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires, with Thanksgiving having four-times the average number. Ranges or cooktops were involved in 61% of reported home cooking fires.
To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking, Cal Fire offers the following tips:
• Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove and oven.
• Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking, or roasting, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them or pull them over.
• Keep children three feet away from the hot stove, and away from hot food and hot liquids.
• Make sure a fire extinguisher is always close by. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.
• When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the
recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
For more cooking fire information, visit https://www.nfpa.org/cooking.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Data Center, cooking is the leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires and more than half (54%) of these fires occurred between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when many people are preparing Thanksgiving dinner.
“Thanksgiving Day is one of our busiest days responding to home cooking fires, and we want to reduce that number by practicing fire safety,” said Chief Thom Porter, Cal Fire director. “There are so many things that can happen in your kitchen while you are preparing meals, and it is easy to become distracted while cooking for family and friends. On Thanksgiving Day, with all the commotion near hot appliances, make sure to always stand next to the oven or stove when you are cooking to avoid any mishaps in the kitchen.”
Per the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Unattended cooking is the leading contributing factor in cooking fires, with Thanksgiving having four-times the average number. Ranges or cooktops were involved in 61% of reported home cooking fires.
To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking, Cal Fire offers the following tips:
• Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove and oven.
• Regularly check on food that is simmering, baking, or roasting, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them or pull them over.
• Keep children three feet away from the hot stove, and away from hot food and hot liquids.
• Make sure a fire extinguisher is always close by. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
• Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.
• When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the
recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
For more cooking fire information, visit https://www.nfpa.org/cooking.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — State Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry have announced a new high speed internet project in Lake County that’s set to begin next year, the first of several high speed internet projects that will receive funding here in Northern California.
The “Middle-Mile Project” involves high-capacity fiber lines carrying large amounts of data at higher speeds over long distances between local networks.
The project, which is No. 3 on the map above, will deploy 80 miles of high speed internet fiber in Lake County along Highways 20, 175 and 29.
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state had identified 18 projects to begin work on an open-access middle-mile network that will provide missing infrastructure paths to bring broadband to all our communities.
McGuire and Aguiar-Curry have been focused on deploying high speed internet to some of the most unserved communities in Northern California, and working together as a team to secure desperately needed funding to connect communities throughout our region.
That led to McGuire and Aguiar-Curry’s announcement on Tuesday offering more details about the project.
In July, the state legislature passed a historic budget that will deploy America’s largest public high speed internet system.
The budget, $6 billion in total, will help bridge the digital divide and provide reliable and affordable internet access to millions of unserved and underserved residents.
The budget included $3.25 billion for the construction of a state-owned middle mile internet system that will expand high speed broadband access and prioritize unserved areas, unserved critical facilities and requires construction in geographically diverse urban and rural communities.
“High speed internet is no longer a luxury, it has to be a right. The pandemic shined a spotlight on the massive disparities that exist in California’s small towns and rural communities when it comes to the lack of reliable internet activity. Hundreds of thousands of folks, here at home in Lake County and throughout the North Coast, are on the wrong side of the digital divide. This is about to change. This initial project in Lake County will be the first of several more that will be announced for the North Coast in the coming year and we couldn’t be more excited,” McGuire said.
“We have worked tirelessly for years to provide Internet for All in California. With the passage of my AB 14, the Internet for All Act, SB 4 (Gonzalez D-LA) and the generational investment in the budget under SB 156, we are beginning to see the fruits of our labor,” said Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “I could not be more proud that two of the recipients of the very first round of broadband projects are my constituents in Lake and Colusa counties!”
She thanked Gov. Newsom, the California Department of Technology and the Public Utilities Commission “for recognizing the opportunities and challenges in the Fourth Assembly District.”
More information about the Lake County middle mile broadband project will be available after the first of the year.
McGuire and Aguiar-Curry will host a virtual town hall early in 2022 to cover all details related to the project including construction timeline, scope and budget.
In addition to Lake County, the initial 18 projects — which represent a range of geographic locations and technical approaches — include work in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Kern, Orange and San Bernardino counties; the Central Coast; Coachella Valley; the Colusa area; Kern/San Luis Obispo area; Los Angeles and South Los Angeles; Oakland; Plumas area; Riverside/San Diego area; Siskiyou area; and West Fresno.
The California Highway Patrol wants to remind everyone to put safety ahead of turkey and trimmings this Thanksgiving.
The CHP will be kicking off a Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP, beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28.
During the MEP, all available CHP officers will be on patrol, looking for unsafe driving practices, including seat belt violations, speeding, distracted driving, and signs of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Wherever you choose to celebrate this Thanksgiving, drive safely,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “When getting behind the wheel, make certain you and all your passengers buckle up before heading out, and remember to always avoid distractions.”
Proper seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives in the event of a crash. Everyone in the vehicle should be safely secured before even starting the car, including children being in the correct child safety seats.
Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year. For that reason, extra care is warranted. All available CHP officers will be out helping to assure safe travel and to provide assistance to motorists in need.
During the 2020 Thanksgiving MEP, 33 people died on roadways within CHP jurisdiction, 14 of whom were not wearing seat belts. The CHP also made 868 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The CHP will be kicking off a Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP, beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 24, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 28.
During the MEP, all available CHP officers will be on patrol, looking for unsafe driving practices, including seat belt violations, speeding, distracted driving, and signs of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Wherever you choose to celebrate this Thanksgiving, drive safely,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “When getting behind the wheel, make certain you and all your passengers buckle up before heading out, and remember to always avoid distractions.”
Proper seat belt use is the most effective way to save lives in the event of a crash. Everyone in the vehicle should be safely secured before even starting the car, including children being in the correct child safety seats.
Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year. For that reason, extra care is warranted. All available CHP officers will be out helping to assure safe travel and to provide assistance to motorists in need.
During the 2020 Thanksgiving MEP, 33 people died on roadways within CHP jurisdiction, 14 of whom were not wearing seat belts. The CHP also made 868 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that California Public Utilities Commission President Marybel Batjer will be retiring effective Dec. 30 and he named Senior Advisor to the Governor for Energy Alice Reynolds to serve as the next president of the commission.
Batjer has served as president of the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, since 2019 and was named chair of a new Department of Motor Vehicles DMV Reinvention Strike Team by the governor.
Batjer previously served as the first-ever secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.
“Marybel stepped up early in my administration to lend her decades of experience in government administration to better serve Californians,” Newsom said. “With her exemplary leadership, smarts, humility and commitment to public service, she has made our state stronger. She has been key to improvements at the DMV, to helping protect victims and ratepayers and pushing utilities to embrace needed reforms. I thank Marybel for her distinguished service to the people of our state and wish her well in her next chapter.”
Reynolds will begin her new role as president of the CPUC effective Dec. 31.
“As my lead energy policy expert, Alice has been indispensable in our work to move California toward a cleaner, affordable and reliable energy future, navigate the bankruptcy of the state’s largest investor-owned utility and accelerate the state’s progress toward meeting our clean energy goals, among other critical issues. I look forward to her leadership as President of the California Public Utilities Commission,” said Governor Newsom.
Alice Busching Reynolds, 55, of Sacramento, has been senior advisor to the governor for Energy since 2019.
She served as senior advisor for climate, the environment and energy in the Office of Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2017 to January 2019, deputy secretary for law enforcement and general counsel at the California Environmental Protection Agency from 2011 to 2017 and deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2002 to 2011.
Reynolds was an attorney at Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal LLP from 1998 to 2001 and at Furth, Fahrner and Mason from 1995 to 1998.
She earned a juris doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law.
This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $228,964. Reynolds is a Democrat.
Batjer has served as president of the California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, since 2019 and was named chair of a new Department of Motor Vehicles DMV Reinvention Strike Team by the governor.
Batjer previously served as the first-ever secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.
“Marybel stepped up early in my administration to lend her decades of experience in government administration to better serve Californians,” Newsom said. “With her exemplary leadership, smarts, humility and commitment to public service, she has made our state stronger. She has been key to improvements at the DMV, to helping protect victims and ratepayers and pushing utilities to embrace needed reforms. I thank Marybel for her distinguished service to the people of our state and wish her well in her next chapter.”
Reynolds will begin her new role as president of the CPUC effective Dec. 31.
“As my lead energy policy expert, Alice has been indispensable in our work to move California toward a cleaner, affordable and reliable energy future, navigate the bankruptcy of the state’s largest investor-owned utility and accelerate the state’s progress toward meeting our clean energy goals, among other critical issues. I look forward to her leadership as President of the California Public Utilities Commission,” said Governor Newsom.
Alice Busching Reynolds, 55, of Sacramento, has been senior advisor to the governor for Energy since 2019.
She served as senior advisor for climate, the environment and energy in the Office of Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2017 to January 2019, deputy secretary for law enforcement and general counsel at the California Environmental Protection Agency from 2011 to 2017 and deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General from 2002 to 2011.
Reynolds was an attorney at Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal LLP from 1998 to 2001 and at Furth, Fahrner and Mason from 1995 to 1998.
She earned a juris doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law.
This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $228,964. Reynolds is a Democrat.
In response to a recent increase in organized retail theft activities across the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the California Highway Patrol to increase their presence near major retail sites and announced a proposed increase in the 2022-2023 state budget to combat retail theft.
“The level of organized retail theft we are seeing is simply unacceptable,” said Gov. Newsom. “Businesses and customers should feel safe while doing their holiday shopping. That’s why California is substantially increasing CHP’s presence, especially near retail areas, and will be investing even more to aggressively curb retail crime. As a small business owner myself, I am resolved to holding these criminals accountable and protecting our local businesses.”
Since the weekend’s string of robberies, the administration has coordinated with local mayors, police departments and retailers to address the increase in felony theft.
The state has increased the California Highway Patrol presence in highly-trafficked shopping areas.
Saturation patrols will continue through the holiday season to assist allied partners in the apprehension of criminals as well as to improve public safety.
Addressing retail crime and safety has been a top priority for the Newsom Administration. In July, Governor Newsom joined law enforcement leaders and Big 13 mayors to reestablish CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force. Since its inception, the Task Force has held 773 investigations, leading to the arrests of 240 individuals and over $18.9 million in stolen merchandise recovered.
The Organized Retail Crime Task Force is responsible for collaborating with allied law enforcement agencies and district attorneys to identify and prosecute organized theft rings, recover lost merchandise, collaborate with the retail industry to reduce theft and improve safety for shoppers.
“The level of organized retail theft we are seeing is simply unacceptable,” said Gov. Newsom. “Businesses and customers should feel safe while doing their holiday shopping. That’s why California is substantially increasing CHP’s presence, especially near retail areas, and will be investing even more to aggressively curb retail crime. As a small business owner myself, I am resolved to holding these criminals accountable and protecting our local businesses.”
Since the weekend’s string of robberies, the administration has coordinated with local mayors, police departments and retailers to address the increase in felony theft.
The state has increased the California Highway Patrol presence in highly-trafficked shopping areas.
Saturation patrols will continue through the holiday season to assist allied partners in the apprehension of criminals as well as to improve public safety.
Addressing retail crime and safety has been a top priority for the Newsom Administration. In July, Governor Newsom joined law enforcement leaders and Big 13 mayors to reestablish CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force. Since its inception, the Task Force has held 773 investigations, leading to the arrests of 240 individuals and over $18.9 million in stolen merchandise recovered.
The Organized Retail Crime Task Force is responsible for collaborating with allied law enforcement agencies and district attorneys to identify and prosecute organized theft rings, recover lost merchandise, collaborate with the retail industry to reduce theft and improve safety for shoppers.