BREAKING NEWS: DeSantis Unveils 'Anti-New York And Anti-California' Hard...

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has put forth stringent measures to combat retail theft, emphasizing the need for robust enforcement of the law. Addressing the prevalent issue during a recent press briefing, DeSantis underscored the necessity of deterring such criminal activities effectively.

Presently, Florida's legal framework stipulates that felony charges are only applicable after an individual engages in five distinct instances of retail theft within 45 days. DeSantis aims to amend this provision, advocating for more stringent penalties from the onset.

Emphasizing the importance of discouraging future occurrences of retail theft, DeSantis articulated, "You should not have to accrue five thefts to warrant a felony charge."

In his proposed legislation, DeSantis outlined various tiers of felony charges tailored to the circumstances of the offense. For instance, committing retail theft with a firearm or possessing two or more prior convictions of such offenses would constitute a first-degree felony. Similarly, utilizing social media to incite others to partake in retail theft would result in a second-degree felony, whereas engaging in retail theft with five or more accomplices would incur a third-degree felony.

Furthermore, the proposed bill addresses the issue of "porch piracy," elevating the severity of penalties for stealing delivery packages from private residences based on the value of the pilfered items.

Under the proposed legislation, first-degree felonies could entail a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and/or fines up to $10,000. Second-degree felonies could result in imprisonment for up to 15 years and/or fines up to $10,000, while third-degree felonies might lead to a maximum of 5 years in prison and/or fines up to $5,000.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, DeSantis referenced the staggering $112 billion lost by retailers nationwide to retail theft in 2022. Notably, since assuming office, Florida has witnessed a notable 30% reduction in shoplifting incidents, according to DeSantis.

Governor DeSantis reaffirmed the state's commitment to upholding the law and ensuring accountability for criminal activities, declaring, "If you commit a crime in Florida, you are going to be held accountable." He unequivocally rejected the tolerance of retail crime, porch piracy, and the accompanying lawlessness observed in other states, such as California and New York.

https://www.flgov.com/2023/05/01/governor-ron-desantis-signs-third-consecutive-anti-crime-pro-public-safety-legislative-package/


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