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Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law a bill that cracks down on retail theft.
At a Walgreens in Martin County on Tuesday, the governor talked about states where drug stores lock up items like toothpaste because of rampant crime.
"HB-549 is pretty much doing the opposite of what a lot of states like California and New York have done. It believes that we need to increase penalties on those who are committing these acts."
DeSantis says the law, which takes effect in October, enhances penalties for organized theft rings that have five or more people involved and anyone who uses social media to solicit others to commit retail theft will face a second degree felony.
It will also raise penalties on porch pirates, or people who steal packages from the front porch of homes.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Martin County Sheriff William Snyder also spoke during the press conference.
HB 549 institutes the following:
A third-degree felony, punishable up to 5 years in prison, if criminals commit retail theft with five or more individuals.
A second-degree felony, punishable up to 15 years in prison, if criminals commit retail theft with five or more individuals and use social media to solicit others to participate in the theft.
A first-degree felony, punishable up to 30 years in prison, if a criminal commits retail theft with a firearm or with two or more prior convictions of retail theft.
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 as follows:
Theft of property in an amount less than $40 is a first-degree misdemeanor.
A subsequent violation is a third-degree felony.
Theft of property valued at $40 or more is a third-degree felony.