Crime Blotter
The Florida legislature is taking action against the threat of “crack bears,” which are apparently menacing rural homeowners. Under the terms of HB 87, Floridians will be allowed to shoot and kill bears that trespass on their property, as long as they notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 24 hours of the kill. Shooters will be prohibited from possessing or selling the carcasses of the animals. Current Florida law restricts homeowners to non-lethal means to scare bears away from their property. The new law, sponsored by Rep. Jason Shoaf and Sen. Corey Simon, gained traction last September after Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said his community was “being inundated and overrun by the bear population.” The bill was dubbed “the cocaine bear bill” on social media, after Shoaf said Floridians have the right to protect themselves against “the ones that are on crack.” Rep. Shoaf provided more details about the threat posed by crack bears while introducing the …
