Locked vehicles can now be broken into by anyone if they see vulnerable individuals or pets that need rescuing. The bill was passed by Gov. Rick Scott as a direct result of an increase in incidents involving pets and vulnerable individuals in cars. In the Florida sun, it can get very hot inside locked cars, and at times this poses life-threatening situations. The new law will prevent individuals from any legal prosecution if they have done the following:
• Car is checked to see if it’s locked.
• Have a suspicion that is reasonable regarding whether or not there is a person or animal that is in danger within the vehicle.
• 911 is called directly afterward or prior to breaking into the vehicle.
• The minimum amount of force must be used to gain access to the vehicle.
• Must wait with the person or animal that was in danger until emergency services arrive. This bill comes at the right time because the weather in Florida during the last 12 months has been on the rise.
As weather.com explains, “Florida has seen much warmer than average temperatures in the last 12 months. In fact, the period from March 2015 through February 2016 ranked as the hottest on record for that stretch”. Read the full article here.