Posted on 04/22/2024 10:52:38 AM PDT by dennisw
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis held another bill signing Tuesday, this time to enact a new law to further punish porch pirates and retail theft rings.
DeSantis signed HB 549, which would increase penalties on both those who operate retail theft rings and porch pirates.
“We will raise penalties on people who steal packages from your front porch,” the governor said.
According to the governor’s office, the bill would create the following felony charges:
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.
The bill also makes porch piracy a first-degree misdemeanor if the property that is stolen is less than $40, but any subsequent violation would then be charged as a third-degree felony.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
“retail theft with five or more individuals”
So you have to be in a retail theft gang to get the increased penalties? Lone thieves don’t get hit with the felony charge?
Why would they do that?
My take is that all porch pirates should be hanged by the neck until dead. How many millions must be traumatized by having their Amazon package stolen? The one that contained a super bargain priced 50-pack of genuine wool argyle socks/
https://www.amazon.com/wool-argyle-socks/s?k=wool+argyle+socks
I watched youtube video where one of these pirates broke her leg and her husband had to carry her away
The stolen argyle socks. Stolen by porch pirates!
Will the DOJ sue Florida because this law will disproportionately affect minorities?
As part of their sentence, it needs to be illegal for anyone to ever ship the criminal mail or packages. They don't deserve what they don't allow for others.
Homeowner is probably about to be sued by the porch pirate’s slip and fall tort attorney.
I think the guy ran back and took the package ,LOL
Porch Pirates is a racist dog whistle, micro-aggression!
That should cover it.
LOL...I would not bet against such a lawsuit!
do porch pirates target squatters?
And then they probably sued. (I wish I was joking)
It won’t matter much unless there’s state funding attached to support the additional enforcement and prosecution these cases will require, now that porch piracy is a common thing.
I’m not aware of a police department in Florida that claims they have enough officers and detectives to follow up on every theft now.
Thanks for posting your very own self-portrait. It’s more or less what I expected ...
I agree. This is great that it’s being taken seriously and now jail time is a great possibility. Plus no voting and a criminal record.
“It won’t matter much unless there’s state funding attached to support the additional enforcement and prosecution these cases will require, now that porch piracy is a common thing.”
I don’t expect to see Florida prosecutors going on television saying they won’t enforce the law; because if they do the governor will toss them out of office.
But sure, a thief can play the odds.
“Do you feel lucky, punk? Well do you?”
Another added reason I’m glad I live in Florida. I feel very lucky to have a sensible state legislature and governor that keeps doing the right thing.
Ron DeSantis Thread!
Don’t miss your opportunity to get here and bash America’s Governor.
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