Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Tuesday that further cracks down on retail theft, porch piracy, and inciting looting through social media.
DeSantis took a swipe at Democrat-controlled areas, which have seen the largest uptick in the aforementioned crimes, saying that Florida was “pretty much doing the opposite of what a lot of states like California and New York have done.”
The governor noted that coordinated retail theft and looting was being organized through social media, with companies reporting a $112 billion loss in 2022.
Despite the explosion in crime in places like California, New York, and Washington, D.C., Florida has seen a 30% decrease in shoplifting since DeSantis took office in 2019, the governor’s office said.
The bill that DeSantis signed into law, HB 549, institutes the following, according to his office:
HB 549 institutes the following:
- A third-degree felony, punishable up to 5 years in prison, if criminals commit retail theft with five or more individuals.
- A second-degree felony, punishable up to 15 years in prison, if criminals commit retail theft with five or more individuals and use social media to solicit others to participate in the theft.
- A first-degree felony, punishable up to 30 years in prison, if a criminal commits retail theft with a firearm or with two or more prior convictions of retail theft.
- The ability to charge a felony for multiple retail thefts occurring in the span of 120 days, which is an increase from 30 days.
- Theft of property in an amount less than $40 is a first-degree misdemeanor.
- A subsequent violation is a third-degree felony.
- Theft of property valued at $40 or more is a third-degree felony.
“Florida is taking another step to distinguish ourselves from lawless jurisdictions and keep our residents and businesses safe,” said DeSantis. “If you steal in Florida, we will catch you and we will prosecute you.”
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TODAY: Governor DeSantis signed a bill to crack down on retail theft & porch piracy in Florida🎯👇
“If you order something and they leave it at your front door, when you come home from work or you bring your kids over from school, that package is gonna be there. And if it’s not… pic.twitter.com/25qQfO3kI5— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) April 9, 2024