Florida's attorney general says Americans from blue states are moving to the Sunshine State because it's tough on crime: 'It's not rocket science'

• Florida AG Ashley Moody says Americans are moving to Florida because it's a law and order state.
• "People are watching and they understand that leadership matters," Moody said.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody says Americans from blue states are moving to Florida because it's a law and order state.

"So what's the secret in Florida? Why are all the New Yorkers and Californians coming to your great state?" asked host Sean Duffy on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures.

"It's not rocket science. People are watching and they understand that leadership matters," Moody said.

The former judge and federal prosecutor pointed to Gov. Ron DeSantis' initiative to recruit police officers by providing $5,000 signing bonuses as well as introducing legislation to target organized retail theft, which she claimed has "made it easier to prosecute" offenders. In Florida, under Senate Bill 1534, anyone who steals 20 or more items, through five or more separate thefts within a certain time period, can be charged with a second-degree felony.

Americans have flocked to the Sunshine State largely due to its low taxes, and business-friendly policies, according to the state's CFO, Jimmy Patronis. Florida's Office of Economic and Demographic Research anticipates that by April 2027, the state's population will average 294,756 net new residents per year.

Using data from the FBI's 2018 Uniform Crime Reporting Program, USA Today ranked states from lowest violent crime rate to highest. Florida ranked 21st with a violent crime rate of 384.9 per 100,000 people, while California — the most populous state — ranked 14th with a violent crime rate of 447.4 per 100,000 people, according to the news outlet. New York was 25th on the list with a violent crime rate of 350.5 per 100,000 people.

Moody told Duffy that in Florida, "we respect our cops and give them the tools they need."

"Be aware," she added. "If you move here, Florida is a law and order state, so if you're a criminal and you reside in Florida, you need to get out and other states need to do the same."

The state's tough-on-crime policy has drawn criticism from organizations like The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida which believes funding would be better spent on poverty, drug addiction, and mental health.

Representatives for The Florida Attorney General's Office did not respond to Insider's request for comment.