Florida has become a law-and-order state under Governor Ron DeSantis.
No-nonsense lawmen are keeping order.
And a Florida sheriff had four words for criminals that left them scared as hell.
Florida sheriff puts potential looters on notice after the hurricane
Hurricane Milton slammed into Siesta Key, Florida on the Gulf Coast killing at least 17 people and leaving a path of destruction.
Flooding, deadly tornadoes, and high winds knocked out the power for more than three million households.
The chaos after a hurricane gives the criminal elemental an opportunity to exploit a tragedy.
Looting after a storm is always a risk.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson warned any potential looters that “you loot, we shoot” if they try to take advantage of the disaster.
“If you want to come to St. Lucie County and victimize our citizens, know that we have the Florida Highway Patrol here,” Pearson told Florida’s Voice. “Know our deputies that are here are going to put you in the wall, and we’re going to put you in jail.”
St. Lucie County was struck by multiple tornadoes that were spawned by Milton.
Law enforcement and residents of the county would not tolerate looting according to Sheriff Pearson.
“As I drove up here today, I saw some boards that were up there. It says, ‘You loot, we shoot.’ I mean, that’s an understatement,” Pearson said.
Former President Donald Trump praised Pearson’s work during the recovery from Hurricane Milton.
“Sheriff Keith Pearson, who I just met, and the wonderful people of St. Lucie County are being hit incredibly hard by Hurricane Milton,” Trump said in a statement. “The life-threatening winds, torrential rain, and destructive tornadoes are some of the worst our state has ever seen. Many homes and businesses have already been destroyed, including the Sheriff’s Office itself. We are with you, and will help St. Lucie County, and all communities, rebuild—stronger and better than ever before. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!”
Ron DeSantis lays down the law
Florida has made it clear that lawlessness will not be tolerated in the aftermath of a hurricane.
And that comes from the top.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has repeatedly warned potential looters that they could be shot in the Sunshine State.
He gave a warning to would-be looters before Hurricane Milton made landfall in the state.
“If you think you’re going to go in and loot, you got another thing coming,” DeSantis said.
“If you go into somebody’s house after the storm passes, think that you’re going to be able to commit crimes, you’re going to get in really serious trouble,” DeSantis continued. “And quite frankly, you don’t know what’s behind that door in a Second Amendment state.”
DeSantis called in law enforcement from neighboring states to help maintain order in the aftermath of Milton.
Natural disasters are a golden opportunity for criminals to exploit.
Some of the most famous images coming out of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 were of looters ransacking New Orleans.
Florida has kept that problem in check by letting criminals know that they face potentially deadly consequences for engaging in it.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.
