Latest news with #SeanDuryee
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
New California Highway Patrol K-9 teams trained to sniff out fentanyl
(FOX 5/KUSI) — A new generation of crime-fighting canines has officially joined the California Highway Patrol, with six highly trained K-9 teams now deployed across the state — and for the first time, these dogs are hitting the streets trained from day one to detect fentanyl. Announced Friday by the Governor Gavin Newsom's Office, the new K-9 unit includes five Belgian Malinois and one German Shepherd. The teams have completed months of intensive training aimed at improving public safety and addressing the growing threat of fentanyl, as well as other illicit substances. 'These new K-9 teams have demonstrated incredible dedication and skill throughout their training,' said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. 'They're not just protecting our communities—they're enhancing our department's ability to fight crime and save lives.' What caused the plane crash in San Diego? This latest class marks a historic milestone for the CHP, becoming the first to receive instruction specifically on fentanyl detection during initial training — a direct response to California's escalating opioid crisis. In 2024 alone, CHP K-9 units were involved in the seizure of nearly 823 pounds of fentanyl statewide, authorities confirmed. Governor Newsom praised the initiative, saying, 'With every class of canine officers, we add specialized capacity to meet the needs of the changing criminal landscape. These K-9 teams will be taking dangerous drugs off the streets and keeping communities safer.' The new teams have completed rigorous training hours depending on their specialization, as broken down below: Patrol and Narcotics Detection Teams: 440 hours Narcotics Detection Teams: 240 hours Patrol and Explosives Detection Teams: 600 hours All graduates met the standards set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards. The K-9s will continue to train at least eight hours per week to maintain peak readiness. The newly assigned officers represent CHP's Coastal, Golden Gate, Valley, Border, and Inland divisions. Among the six new teams are: Three Patrol and Narcotics Detection K-9 units One Patrol and Explosives Detection K-9 unit Two Narcotics Detection K-9 units The CHP now operates a total of 50 active K-9 teams throughout California. With fentanyl overdoses continuing to rise, these newly graduated canine officers are expected to play a vital role in curbing the flow of deadly drugs and reinforcing safety across the state. For more information about CHP initiatives and public safety efforts, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘CHP officers will be vigilant': Patrols ramp up for Memorial Day weekend
(KRON) — Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, and, as the unofficial kick-off to summer approaches, the California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers and passengers to be safe and buckle up before hitting the road. New generation of CHP squad cars hitting Bay Area roads The CHP said its annual statewide Memorial Day Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) will begin on Friday, May 23, at 6:01 p.m. and run through Monday, May 26, at 11:59 p.m. During the holiday weekend last year, 42 people died in crashes across California, and more than 1,100 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to CHP. 'To help maintain safety on California's roadways, CHP officers will be vigilant for impaired and reckless drivers and motorists who fail to buckle up,' said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee in a news release. 'Our top priority is keeping the public safe, not just during the holidays but daily. Buckling up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your passengers in a crash. Our officers will be out in force to help everyone arrive at their destination safely.' CHP said it will also be deploying its newly launched fleet of stealth Specially Marked Patrol Vehicles that blend into traffic to catch dangerous drivers 'without immediate detection.' The California Highway Patrol said its holiday enforcement period coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) national 'Click it or Ticket' campaign, which started May 19 and ends June 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
CHP to conduct statewide Memorial Day holiday enforcement period May 23-26
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The California Highway Patrol announced its annual statewide holiday enforcement period for Memorial Day is set to begin on Friday. The enforcement period is scheduled to begin at 6:01 p.m. May 23 and last until 11:59 p.m. May 26. CHP officers will be on the lookout for reckless drivers who are impaired and/or failed to put on their seat belts, according to CHP. 'Buckling up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your passengers in a crash,' CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a press release. 'Our officers will be out in force to help everyone arrive at their destination safely.' CHP introduces new Specially Marked Patrol Vehicle to Eastern Kern County Officers will be operating not only the traditional black-and-white patrol vehicles, but also the new low-profile Specially Marked Patrol Vehicles to blend into traffic and detect dangerous driving behaviors on the roads, CHP said. According to CHP, 42 people died in crashes across California during Memorial Day weekend last year and nearly half of the people who died within CHP jurisdiction didn't have their seat belts on. CHP also said they made over 1,100 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. CHP encouraged everyone to buckle up, drive sober and stay alert. If you plan to drink or use drugs, arrange for a safe ride home before heading out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
CHP announces holiday enforcement period for Memorial Day weekend
( — The California Highway Patrol announced it will conduct its annual statewide Memorial Day Holiday Enforcement Period, as it urges drivers and passengers to buckle up while traveling. Video Above: CHP taking a bold new approach to crack down on dangerous driving The enforcement period takes place on Friday at 6:01 p.m. and ends on Monday at 11:59 p.m. 'Our top priority is keeping the public safe, not just during the holidays but daily,' said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. 'Buckling up is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your passengers in a crash. Our officers will be out in force to help everyone arrive at their destination safely.' CHP said officers will be vigilant of drivers who are behind the wheel impaired, who are driving recklessly and who fail to buckle up. Officials also inform the community that they may encounter CHP's new low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles on the roadway. Stanislaus Sheriff's Office to hold DUI checkpoint Approximately 42 people died in crashes across the state during Memorial Day weekend in 2024, and nearly half were not wearing seatbelts, according to CHP jurisdiction statistics. More than 1,100 were also arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CHP premieres new low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles
Aggressive lane weaving, triple-digit speeds and road rage might be part of a high-score strategy in video games, but in the real world such maneuvers are deadly. In an effort to crack down on what can only be described as 'video game-styled' driving on the state's highways, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is deploying a new generation of low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles (SMPV) – and one such vehicle is coming to the California Highway Patrol Office in Red Bluff. 'The new vehicles give our officers an important advantage,' said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. 'They will allow us to identify and stop drivers who are putting others at risk, while still showing a professional and visible presence once enforcement action is needed.' The 100 new Dodge Durangos—paired with the CHP's existing high-performance fleet, which includes Dodge Chargers and Ford Explorers—blend into traffic just enough to observe the most reckless and dangerous behaviors without immediate detection, Duryee said. 'Once enforcement begins, their markings serve as a clear reminder that safety is the CHP's top priority,' he added. With over 390,000 crashes annually in California and nearly 1,000 daily reports of reckless driving, the new vehicle-tools will help CHP officers hold the most egregious violators accountable, according to the CHP. Last year, CHP officers issued almost 18,000 citations to drivers speeding over 100 miles per hour. Speed is a factor in approximately 30 percent of all crashes and a major contributor to traffic fatalities and injuries, Duryee said. It is particularly dangerous because it decreases reaction time, extends stopping distance, and intensifies the severity of crashes. 'Our goal remains the same, to reduce injuries, prevent fatalities, and restore a sense of safety on California's roadways. We urge all drivers to obey speed limits, avoid aggressive behavior, and share the road responsibly,' he added. The CHP positioned the first 25 SMPVs in various regions across California last week. All 100 high-performance patrol units will be strategically placed along California's busiest, high-risk roadways by June. Speed isn't a thrill—it's a threat, and the CHP is responding, Duryee said.
