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Vallejo residents want the Governor to deploy a surge of CHP officers to stop "lawlessness"
Vallejo residents say they're fed up with lawlessness in their city. One woman started an online petition to ask Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy a surge of CHP officers to improve public safety. They say sideshows and sex trafficking are ongoing problems that need to be addressed right away. So far, the petition has garnered more than 3,000 signatures.
VALLEJO, Calif. -
Vallejo residents said lawlessness in their city is at an all-time high.
They want Gov. Gavin Newsom's help.
One woman started an online petition to urge him to deploy a surge of CHP officers to help Vallejo like the way he did for Oakland.
Residents said sideshows are a major public safety concern.
They pointed to one that happened in February.
The driver of a white pickup truck was attacked, chased into a convenience store, and attacked again.
Some in the crowd looted the store.
This incident was the last straw for one woman who lives in Vallejo.
"It's a man-made disaster. It's a crisis. We need help and that's going to take manpower," said Paula Conley, who started the online petition. "I'm a native here. I love it. I hate to see it like this and I hate people disrespecting it like they are."
She's asking the governor to deploy officers from the CHP and Solano County Sheriff's Office.
So far, the petition has garnered more than 3,000 signatures.
"The CHP is already providing a little assistance, not their surge teams like they are in Oakland, but occasional street patrols when they're coming off the freeways," said Vallejo City Manager Andrew Murray.
He said recruitment of police officers is underway, but acknowledged it will take several years to get up to full staffing levels.
"We need outside help, and it can't wait," said Conley.
Vandalism along Sonoma Boulevard in Vallejo.
Murray said officers are being re-assigned to certain types of enforcement, including traffic.
The city plans to implement what it calls a "problem oriented policing team" by June to address specific problems including sex trafficking.
Residents said it's an ongoing problem along busy Sonoma Boulevard.
"I support the CHP coming here," said Jameelah Hanif, a homeowner and founder of Watch Me Grow Inc, a nonprofit that works with at-risk youth and their families.
She said vandalism and crime were factors in her closing a community center she opened in 2023.
She said she has some concerns about the use of outside law enforcement.
"I don't want to see all the force being used. I don't want to see people being profiled, always being pulled over," she said.
The CHP issued a written statement that said in part: "Units from the CHP’s Solano area office have been advised to assist on city streets when free or in the area. Additionally, the CHP has offered our law enforcement partners at Vallejo Police Department assistance, as needed, for upcoming operations or events."
The city manager said a new police chief will be named later this week.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU