Polk County Sheriff Issues Stark Warning for Looters

Screenshot from Polk County Sheriff's Office videoPhoto byPolk County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page

While Hurricane Milton has passed, the struggle for its victims continues. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd issued a stern warning to those with malicious intentions in a video posted on social media today: “Fool around and find out. You'll go to jail quick, I guarantee it.”

Though brief, the message was very clear.

Looting after a natural disaster poses a significant concern, often emerging when law enforcement is overwhelmed and social order is disrupted. Motivations for looting can vary widely, from survival needs—such as obtaining food and water—to opportunistic theft that exploits the chaos. While looting is a criminal offense with serious legal consequences, it also undermines recovery efforts and erodes community trust.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward looting, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining order during this challenging time.