The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, gave a strong warning to anyone who takes advantage of Hurricane Idalia by stealing from damaged houses and businesses.
DeSantis claimed he had already received reports of looting close to the location where the hurricane had reached shore and warned that officials wouldn’t “tolerate” it at a news conference shortly after the hurricane reached shore within the Sunshine State’s Big Bend area.
“I have informed all of our state-level employees that their job is to protect everyone’s property and that we won’t stand for any looting following a natural disaster,” he stated. “It’s crazy that you would attempt to do anything like that right after a hurricane that was almost a Category 4 slammed this area.”
And DeSantis says that thieves shouldn’t just worry about police officers.
“Also, I’d like to tell people who might steal that you never know what you’re going into. “Everyone has the right to protect their property,” he said.
He cautioned that “there were many Second Amendment supporters in this region of Florida. I have seen signs around people’s yards after these natural disasters, and I am inclined to believe it’s probably in this instance: ‘You loot, we shoot,’” he said. “If you break into someone’s house to steal, you never know what is behind their door. I wouldn’t do it because these are people who can protect themselves as well as their families.”
This marks the second time in the wake of a storm that DeSantis has given a strong warning.
Last year, shortly after Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers, DeSantis talked about the message he observed on the boarded-up stores: “You loot, we shoot.”
At the time, DeSantis declared, “We aren’t going to let the lawlessness profit from this situation at all costs. Do not assume that you will go take advantage of those who have faced misfortune since this is a law-and-order state and society.”
DeSantis has put his bid for the presidency on hold while he helps Florida deal with the latest natural disaster.
