Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that aimed for retail crackdown and porch piracy in the state of Florida.
The threshold value for third-degree felony larceny was reduced with the signature of DeSantis on House Bill 549. As a consequence of businesses attempting to recoup their losses, retail theft causes prices to soar, according to DeSantis.
“That has an impact on you as a consumer because the prices will go up to reflect those stolen goods,” according to DeSantis. “That is an ordinary course of action.” They must devise a compensation strategy if they are unable to sell those products, which would result in losses.
Customers are demoralized, according to DeSantis, because of the recent trend of retailers securing specific items to prevent their theft. According to them, it is detrimental to life quality. Additionally, the conduct of criminals demonstrates disdain for the law, according to DeSantis.
“Then of course, if you 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,” DeSantis emphasized.
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“Florida is a law-and-order state, and our policies combating organized retail theft are another shining example of how we are leading the nation,” said Ashley Moody, the attorney general. “Grateful for Gov. DeSantis signing this important piece of legislation into law, as well as for the work of Representative Rommel and Senator Trumbull this session to keep building a stronger, safer Florida.”
Over the past four years, retail larceny in Florida has decreased, according to DeSantis, who further speculates that the decrease is due to the public’s awareness that Florida is not a state where a thief would “try that.”
“We are seeing issues with retail theft across the country, nationwide 88% of retailers have reported that shoplifters are more aggressive and violent now, compared to just a few years ago, 49% said they have observed much more violent and aggressive behavior,” said DeSantis.
Store closures are occurring in certain regions of the country, as DeSantis observed that those committing these offenses do not believe they will be held accountable, as per the Center Square.
“You see stores closing down in other parts of the United States, whether that’s Target closing nine stores in Portland and Seattle, Walmart closing stores in Chicago, Nordstrom closing stores in San Francisco, that is a direct result of the lack of commitment to the rule of law and holding criminals accountable,” DeSantis said.
Criminals will be held accountable, according to DeSantis, who stated that this will not occur in Florida and that the new legislation will guarantee retailers the ability to continue operations.