One interesting thing that crime statistics have shown is that there tends to be a spike during the summer. Experts believe warm weather itself is to blame. If you look back at the last few months in 2023, you’ll see that there is been a spike in violent crime, including 90 mass shootings in just the month of June and the first week of July.
But why is it that this happens? What is it about warm weather that makes people more likely to break the law?
Physical changes
Interestingly, researchers noted that a person’s body temperature increases in hot weather, which can then make it so they have higher blood pressure and a faster heart rate. This can make them feel discomfort, along with simply feeling overheated on a hot summer day. This discomfort is then connected to both violence and anger, as someone is more irritable and more likely to react emotionally.
More opportunities
Additionally, summer just creates an opportune environment for some of these crimes to take place. Longer days and warmer weather mean people are outside more, leading to more interactions – and some of these interactions are bound to go poorly. On top of that, college students and high school students have the summer off for a break from classes. This has already been shown to lead to an increase in fatal teenage car accidents, but could also be linked to a rise in criminal activity by the same age group.
Legal defense options
Have you been accused of a serious crime this summer? It can have a major impact on your future, so be sure you understand all of your legal defense options.