A roundup of notable incidents involving the CHP this past week included the closure of a critical freeway in Los Angeles, law enforcement working together to save lives, the smell of success for a canine, new-look patrol vehicles, and returning a prized possession to its rightful owner.
Fire Shuts Down Section Of Freeway
A large fire on Nov. 11 forced the indefinite closure of a portion of Interstate 10 (I-10), one of the major traffic routes for downtown Los Angeles with traffic estimated at upwards of 300,000 vehicles daily. Since the incident, work crews have been on site 24 hours a day to clean the site of hazardous materials, assess damage, and prepare it for necessary repairs. Californians can visit FixThe10.ca.gov for updates and alternate routes.
Put The Brakes On Unsafe Driving
The Stockton Area CHP joined other members of law enforcement in San Joaquin County for the county-wide, Saturation Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.). During the Nov. 9 collaborative effort, 22 officers from various agencies saturated the city to curb roadway fatalities by addressing speeding, stop sign violations, red light violations, handheld cell phone violations, and other infractions. The outcome: 303 citations issued and 11 cars towed.
Highway 99 Drug Bust
A CHP K9 officer and his four-legged partner, Rae, made a late-night discovery during a traffic stop on Highway 99 in Merced County on Nov. 5. Thanks to her keen sense of smell, K9 Rae alerted on the vehicle indicating narcotics may be inside. Officers searched the vehicle and located several large cardboard boxes containing 117 individually wrapped, one-pound packages of methamphetamine.
New-Look Patrol Vehicle
Californians should be on the lookout for the CHP’s newest patrol pickup. The new addition to the Department’s patrol fleet is a pursuit-rated, 5.3 liter, 4WD vehicle, and is being tested throughout the state.
The Golden Rifle
CHP Trinity River had the honor of returning a community member’s specially crafted Henry Golden Boy Rifle, which had been stolen during a burglary at her home in August, 2021. Following a recent pursuit, CHP officers discovered the missing firearm inside the stolen vehicle. The driver was apprehended, subsequently arrested, and charged with multiple felony violations.
