Crime has become a major problem in Democrat-run states and cities across the country.
But Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is cracking down on theft in the Sunshine State.
And Ron DeSantis put potential criminals on notice with these nine words that New York City residents will never hear.
Democrats declared war on law enforcement after the Black Lives Matter riots that took place during the summer of 2020.
Left-wing politicians called for “defunding the police”, and some advocated shutting down entire police departments.
Meanwhile, George Soros-backed prosecutors started to implement pro-criminal policies like cashless bail that put criminals right back on the streets.
As a result, crime skyrocketed over the past few years, especially in Democrat-controlled places.
In 2022 alone, retailers nationwide reported losing a whopping $112 billion in theft.
In places like New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., crime is now a top issue and concern for residents.
But not in Florida.
While retail theft increased across the country, it has decreased by 30% since DeSantis took office in 2019.
DeSantis held a bill signing on Tuesday at a Walgreens in Stuart, Florida, where he signed HB 549 into law.
The bill adds penalties for retail theft crimes with five or more people and makes it a third-degree felony that is punishable by up to five years in prison.
DeSantis told business owners that the legislation would help lower instances of theft on their property.
“We don’t want to see prices increase and we certainly don’t want to treat every retail establishment as if every item needs to be under a lock and key just so that they’re not looted out and that will not happen in the state of Florida,” DeSantis declared. “You will have toothpaste on the shelf that you can grab, check out and leave,” he continued, before adding “imagine that, isn’t that great that we were able to do that?”
He addressed the recent rise in people using social media to organize “flash mobs of retail theft” and made it clear that they will be held “accountable” for their crimes.
If five or more criminals commit retail theft and use social media to solicit others to join them, then the new law makes it a second-degree felony that is punishable by up to 15 years behind bars.
If two or more criminals have a firearm on them at the time they commit retail theft, then the law makes it a first-degree felony that is punishable by 30 years in prison.
But the new law goes beyond retail theft.
It also addresses the recent rise in “porch piracy,” where criminals steal a package off someone’s doorstep while they are not at home.
DeSantis said the goal is to make the Sunshine State a safe place where folks do not have to worry about someone stealing a package off their doorstep before they make it home from work or school.
“If you order something and they leave it at your front door, you come home from work or bring your kids home from school, the package is going to be there,” DeSantis promised. “And if it’s not,” he continued, before adding that “someone’s gonna have hell to pay for stealing it.”
The bill makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to steal property from a private residence in an amount less than $40, but repeat offenders will face third-degree felony charges.
If the value of the stolen property exceeds $40, then it will be a third-degree felony on first offense.
“Florida is taking another step to distinguish ourselves from lawless jurisdictions and keep our residents and businesses safe,” DeSantis said. “If you steal in Florida, we will catch you and we will prosecute you.”
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
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Author: rg_hm
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