Governor DeSantis Calls for Stiffer Penalties for Shoplifting, Porch Piracy

CAPE CORAL -- Florida isn't California, but Governor DeSantis says our state is too lenient on shoplifters, organized retail thieves, and people who steal packages off porches.

Speaking to police in Cape Coral, the governor called for new laws to combat retail theft. Those include lowering the threshold for felony charges from five to two thefts. Proposed legislation would also make it a third-degree felony to organize five or more individuals to shoplift (flash mobbing), a second-degree felony to use social media to organize retail theft, and create a new criminal category called "aggravated retail theft," which would include theft with a firearm, or theft by someone with two or more prior convictions for shoplifting.

DeSantis is also proposing lowering the threshold for felony charges on "porch pirates."

The governor says shoplifting is down 30 percent in Florida, compared with a 63 percent increase in New York City alone, but he insists that tougher penalties are needed to keep trends in other areas from spreading to Florida.

Photo: Getty Images


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