TAMPA, Fla.—Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis returned to the Tampa Bay area on Oct. 15 to announce that law enforcement across the state has had a “zero tolerance” policy toward any crime committed in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
“If you loot, if you’re engaging in illegal activity, we’re going to hold you accountable.”
The governor listed some examples of post-storm crimes across the state.
In Hillsborough County, someone was charged with trying to steal a generator.
In Daytona Beach, some people were arrested for looting.
A Sarasota man was arrested and accused of breaking into an apartment complex, and a man in New Port Richey was charged with dumping debris onto someone else’s private property.
The governor also provided an update on a dog left chained up on the side of the interstate and whose rescue by a Florida State Trooper went viral.
The dog, renamed “Trooper,” is in good health and now in Tallahassee waiting to be adopted. Trooper’s now-former owners were found, arrested, and are being charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
DeSantis was joined by 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Susan Lopez, who announced that she is prosecuting Trooper’s former owners.
Aggravated animal cruelty, she said, is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in a Florida state prison.
“We take animal cruelty very, very seriously in Hillsborough County,” she said. “We protect our most vulnerable citizens: the elderly, children, and our four-legged friends.”
Lopez said punishments are increased for certain crimes committed during a state of emergency.
“The good guys are out helping our residents, and the criminals are preying on our residents,” she said.
“In Hillsborough County, you’re going to pay the price. We’re going to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Criminals who commit burglary, robbery, theft, and contracting without a license will face harsher penalties.
DeSantis said some law enforcement officers in the Tampa Bay area were doing their duty despite being personally impacted by the storm.
He said that $400,000 would be awarded to four charities from the Florida Disaster Fund to help first responders who were affected by the storm.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said that out of the 4,000 employees in the sheriff’s office, 80 were impacted.
He said they “never missed a moment of work. They never miss the opportunity to continue and serve this community.”
The governor distributed four $100,000 checks to the Florida Firefighters Charities Fund, the Florida Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Heart Fund, Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Florida State Lodge FOP Memorial Foundation.
“Those organizations will be able to use that for whatever they need to be able to help folks in need,” whether that be a lost home, car, or any other temporary assistance, DeSantis said.
“Just because you’re in the fight ... that doesn’t mean you’re immune from having damage to your house or even losing your home or having other problems associated with the storm,” the governor said.
“We want to make sure that those folks who have gone the extra mile for the community, that they’re taken care of as well.”
