In a recent statement, the governor highlighted the alarming trend of organized retail theft and looting, which is being facilitated through social media platforms.
Shockingly, companies have reported a staggering loss of $112 billion in 2022.
According to the governor’s office, Florida has experienced a significant decline in shoplifting since DeSantis assumed office in 2019, even amidst the rising crime rates in other prominent locations such as California, New York, and Washington, D.C.
According to the office of DeSantis, the recently signed bill, HB 549, implements the following measures:
A new measure has been introduced to lower the minimum threshold for an offense of grand theft of the third degree.
In addition, the law encompasses:
If convicted of retail theft with five or more individuals, criminals may face a third-degree felony charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 5 years. A second-degree felony can result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years for those involved in retail theft with five or more individuals, especially if they use social media to encourage others to participate in the crime. Committing retail theft with a firearm or having multiple prior convictions of retail theft can result in a first-degree felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years. The timeframe for charging a felony for multiple retail thefts has been extended to 120 days, a significant increase from the previous 30-day limit.
The Republican governor stated that the bill is a crucial component of his mission to establish Florida as a state that prioritizes “law and order.”
[READ MORE: DeSantis Signs New Bill to Address Chaos Caused by Fentanyl]
