Article from Reason by Christian Britschgi.
Florida state Rep. Wengay Newton (D–St. Petersburg) is so tough on auto theft that he wants to punish the crime’s victims as well.
Newton has introduced a bill that would make it a criminal offense to have your car stolen if you leave it unlocked with the keys inside. His legislation would make this a second-degree misdemeanor; violators would face fines of up to $500 and jail time of up to 60 days.
But only if the person who steals the car is a minor. Having the same unlocked car stolen by an adult would not be a criminal offense.
“We have a lot of juveniles getting access to vehicles unlawfully. However, these juveniles are not using guns or force. These vehicles are pretty much just left running with keys in them,” Newton told WTSP. He claims his bill would “close this floodgate of a crime of opportunity.”
Read the entire article at Reason.
wpDiscuz
What a stupid man. Throw him from office. Elect a grownup.
Clearly you are a democrat since you have no respect for how the government is suppose to work.
It is criminalizing stupidity. still not a good idea.
The mental illness known as being a dimocrat has no boundary when it comes to utter stupidity!
What dimwits elected this moron into office? They should be horsewhipped. He should charged with terminal stupidity.
First of all, anyone who leaves his/her keys in their car, running or not, is an idiot! You are TEMPTING someone to steal it, so, yes, in that way, you ARE just as guilty as the thief! As for being a criminal, I say, NO! But, you should have no legal recourse, either. I’m sure your insurance company will not want to honor your claim for ‘theft’! It’s more like you were saying, “Here, take my car! Please!”