#ICYMI: A roundup of notable incidents involving
the CHP this past week, including 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. The
list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an
excerpt from each announcement. Click
on the headlines to access accompanying assets that are available for
download. 1.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
DECLARED AFTER A MASSIVE FIRE SHUTS DOWN SECTION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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. 2.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE LIVES BY PUTTING THE BRAKES ON UNSAFE DRIVING
BEHAVIORS
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.
3.
K9 RAE’S BUST ON HIGHWAY 99
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, 1-pound
packages of methamphetamine.
4.
CHP “PICKS UP” A
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.
5.
GUARDIANS OF 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 pursuit on Oct. 25, CHP officers
discovered the missing firearm inside the stolen vehicle. The driver was apprehended, subsequently
arrested, and charged with multiple felony violations. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of
Safety, Service and Security. | 
