Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed legislation that aims for harsher penalties for individuals convicted of retail crime in the Sunshine State. DeSantis said at a Tuesday press conference he wants to have severe enough penalties to deter people from committing retail theft and porch piracy in the future. “You should not have to get five thefts to make a felony‚” DeSantis commented. “In Florida‚ we believe in being a law-and-order state. We are holding criminals accountable – whether it’s enacting swift penalties for fentanyl dealers‚ making sure our state attorneys are actually enforcing the law‚ rejecting bail reform‚ or even something as common-sense as enacting the death penalty for pedophiles‚” DeSantis wrote on X. WATCH: In Florida‚ we believe in being a law-and-order state. We are holding criminals accountable – whether it’s enacting swift penalties for fentanyl dealers‚ making sure our state attorneys are actually enforcing the law‚ rejecting bail reform‚ or even something as common-sense as… pic.twitter.com/hmE0skL9hu — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 14‚ 2024 “In 2022‚ retailers across the country lost $112 billion to retail theft‚ with sharp increases in major cities like New York‚ Los Angeles and Washington‚ D.C.‚ whereas in Florida‚ shoplifting has decreased by 30% since DeSantis first took office‚ according to the Republican governor‚” Fox News reports. WATCH: $112 billion was lost in 2022 alone from retail theft‚ and it’s not just the money – it’s the deterioration of culture and the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/WAUb2ypZyl — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 13‚ 2024 Fox News reports: DeSantis wants to keep the downward trend going‚ announcing on Tuesday that it will be a first-degree felony if a person commits theft with a firearm or has already had two or more prior convictions of retail theft‚ under his proposal. A first-degree felony in Florida is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/or fines of up to $10‚000. He also wants to make it a second-degree felony if criminals use social media to solicit others to participate in retail theft‚ while it will be a third-degree felony to commit retail theft with five or more individuals. A second-degree felony in Florida carries up to 15 years in prison and/or fines up to $10‚000‚ while a third-degree felony could jail criminals for up to five years and/or fines of up to $5‚000. His legislation will also tackle “porch piracy‚” the stealing of delivery packages from private properties‚ which will become a third-degree felony if the package is valued between $40 and $100. “Cities and states that have effectively legalized shoplifting have hurt their local businesses and created a culture of lawlessness that has harmed the quality of life. FL is a law &; order state‚ and I look forward to working with the legislature to crack down on retail theft‚” DeSantis wrote. Cities and states that have effectively legalized shoplifting have hurt their local businesses and created a culture of lawlessness that has harmed the quality of life. FL is a law &; order state‚ and I look forward to working with the legislature to crack down on retail theft. pic.twitter.com/0O4tOWz6A3 — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 13‚ 2024 He should have stuck to being a good Governor. This is great. https://t.co/4or38yYePI Super easy way to stay out of prison….stop stealing stuff! — DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) February 15‚ 2024 From WFLA: The governor is also hoping to deter porch pirates by increasing penalties for people who steal packages off doorsteps. “If you commit a crime in Florida‚ you are going to be held accountable‚” DeSantis said. “We will not tolerate retail crime‚ porch pirates and the lawlessness that they allow in California and New York.” DeSantis said he hopes Florida legislators will be able to increase the penalties for retail theft during this legislative session. “These penalties are going to be impactful and effective‚” DeSantis said.