5 Florida bills hike punishments for street racers, porch pirates, squatters and other crimes

Florida lawmakers this year sought to address crime problems that they saw in their communities or feared coming to their communities. Here are five bills that would increase penalties for criminals. All are awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature.

PORCH PIRATING

People who steal packages off a porch could soon face more prison time.

The bill makes it easier to charge someone who steals from a home with grand theft by lowering the threshold for the crime. Under the proposal, the thief could be charged with a third-degree felony for stealing a package worth as little as $40. That’s compared with the current threshold of $100 or more.

A person could still be charged with a third-degree felony for stealing something worth less than $40 if that person has been previously convicted of theft. A third-degree felony can carry a prison sentence of up to five years.

The bill also creates a new penalty for groups of people who organize on social media to swarm a retail establishment, causing a distraction to steal merchandise.

DeSantissaid the measures were meant to keep Florida as the “anti-New York” and “anti-California.”

DIGITAL VOYEURISM

Florida lawmakers pointed to a Broward County case when passing this bill, which increases the penalties for illegally recording someone privately dressing or undressing.

Sponsors Rep. Hillary Cassel, D-Dania Beach, and Senate Democratic leader Lauren Book, D-Davie, said people should be charged for each instance of secretly recording, viewing or distributing illegally filmed footage, instead of facing

Video screengrab The sudden arrival of deputies at an illegal street race sends hundreds of spectators scrambling. One person was struck by a driver trying trying to outrun the cops, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.