Drew Dixon
U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody is increasing calls for tougher federal laws to tamp down retail theft across America.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on organized retail theft, Moody advocated the use of emerging technology to help beef up federal stipulations that could break massive retail crime rings. It’s the same approach she used as Florida Attorney General before she was appointed to the Senate seat this year to replace Marco Rubio.
In Florida, Moody said she was able to develop partnerships along with utilizing new technology in order to crack down on retail crime. She said it’s a template that other areas of the country should start employing.
“While most of the country watched mobs storm Los Angeles stores and crime rings boldly target major retailers, Florida dug in, utilizing new technology, forging novel partnerships and strengthening state laws to make sure organized retail crime did not get a foothold in Florida,” Moody said.
“It is time to bring the Florida approach to the federal government to stop organized retail crime, protect consumers and keep prices low for hardworking Americans especially as weak state leaders fail to enforce the law.”
Moody’s template developed what was labeled the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE) in conjunction with the Florida Retail Federation. The FORCE partnership led to a statewide task force and database that could identify retail theft trends. FORCE was also used to develop lists of suspects and infiltrated organized retail theft rings.
The FORCE database helped develop a network between retailers, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. It could connect key elements of searchable information on retail theft cases across Florida.
The Florida Legislature also joined efforts to dismantle organized retail theft rings. Moody also backed and fought for HB 549 in Florida, which increased penalties for repeat retail theft offenders.
4 comments
Mac Wiseman
July 16, 2025 at 6:55 am
Thank you, Ashley,
America, lets face the real real facts. Ashley’s great work up there in DC is paveing the highway to two terms in The White House for Ron Desantis.
Keep up the great work of making America great again.
Mac
LexT
July 17, 2025 at 9:28 am
Love you, Senator Moody. Just be careful not to violate the Tenth Amendment or create any new powers for the federal government. I am okay with providing templates to California for best practices, but please don’t put us in a position where Washington, DC, can tell Florida how to do anything.
Larry Gillis, Director-at-Large, Libertarian Party of Florida
July 17, 2025 at 1:15 pm
I dunno who you are, not in the least, but I like the sound of your voice.
(“Tenth Amendment”, indeed!)
It's Complicated
July 17, 2025 at 11:45 am
FORCE is a template for states to adopt. The problem California has is they don’t want to arrest or prosecute criminals for “minor crimes.” Government leaders will have to get over this mental illness that believes it’s OK to coddle criminals or look the other way while they steal and loot if they want to fix the situation in California. Who in their right mind wants to run a business where 20-30 people will show up with boxes, carts, and Santa sacks to loot your inventory, and you are powerless to do anything to stop it? Retailers are justifiably fleeing urban areas.
What the Feds should do is tell states that refuse to enforce laws or protect business that Federal relief money will not flow into state coffers until they enforce the law. Figure out a way to bypass the state to provide relief directly to businesses.
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