Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis after signing HB 549, which increases penalties for retail theft, porch piracy and inciting looting via social media. (Florida Governor's Office)
"Now, that has an impact on you as a consumer because the prices will go up to reflect those stolen goods. That's just basic business," DeSantis said. "It also just has a demoralizing effect on people. When you go in and you want to buy toothpaste and it's like Fort Knox because it's all under lock and key for basic items. You got to get a clerk to come and open it and all this stuff just to do basic shopping. That is not something that is good for quality of life. And then, of course, if you can have people come in and just steal retail and walk out, that creates a contempt for the rule of law that has a spillover effect in areas far beyond retail theft."
By contrast, Florida has seen shoplifting decrease by 30% since DeSantis first took office, he said.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody spoke at a Walgreens press conference to announce new legislation cracking down on retail theft. (Florida Governor's Office)
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The law also grants the ability to charge a felony for multiple retail thefts occurring in the span of 120 days, which is an increase from 30 days. HB 549 also increases the punishments for porch piracy. Theft of property in an amount less than $40 is a first-degree misdemeanor. A subsequent violation is a third-degree felony, and theft of property valued at $40 or more is a third-degree felony.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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