(ConservativeJournal.org) – Florida Governor Ron Desantis has recently signed new bills making punishments on thieves much stricter. One of the new laws, HB 549, makes it so that a person can be charged with a felony no matter the value of the stolen item.
Under the legislation, someone who steals an item exceeding $40 in value can immediately face felony charges. There are even stricter penalties for thefts exceeding $750 or involving property from multiple residences, such as in porch piracy cases.
DeSantis emphasized that Florida should always uphold law and order, negatively referencing the more lenient policies in California and New York. He argues their laws have not sufficiently protected citizens and instead made it easier for criminals to steal.
The new bill also cracks down on rings of organized theft. The penalties are even stricter for people who have been charged multiple times, or for people who are caught with illegal firearms. Theft crimes committed over a 120-day period will be considered part of a retail theft ring, making it even easier for people involved in cases like that to be prosecuted.
DeSantis signed other laws into effect as well. These include laws pertaining to protecting children from sexual exploitation, disabled people going to work, and many more.
Lately there has been a steep increase in retail theft and a newer phenomenon of “porch pirates” in Florida. This is essentially theft of a package delivered to someone’s house before the rightful owner can bring it inside. Theft is on the rise across the whole nation as more states implement laws that do not seek stricter punishment on thieves.
DeSantis’ choice to sign these laws shows that he intends to make Florida a standout state, especially against Democrat-led states. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Florida Retail Federation have applauded the law’s more proactive approach to fighting organized crime and protecting people, businesses, and their property.
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