Ron DeSantis on Crime

Ron DeSantis firmly advocates for a tough-on-crime agenda, frequently citing Florida’s crime rate, which he has claimed is at a fifty-year low, as evidence of his policies' success. He has implemented legislative actions to enhance penalties for certain crimes and support law enforcement personnel. For example, he signed anti-crime bills in 2023 that increased penalties for fentanyl sales to children and established the death penalty for adults who commit sexual battery on a child under twelve. He also signed legislation that limits judicial discretion in setting bond amounts, aiming to keep more defendants detained pre-trial, and supported measures preventing local governments from defunding police departments.

His administration has also taken actions against prosecutors whose policies he deemed too lenient, including suspending elected state attorneys. He has argued that these officials neglected their duties by not seeking mandatory minimum sentences for specific offenses. While proponents view these measures as necessary for law and order, critics suggest that this approach prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation and that claims of low crime rates may rely on incomplete data sets, as data reporting from some Florida agencies has been inconsistent. Nevertheless, the governor continues to reiterate his commitment to backing the blue and implementing strict measures against criminal activity.