Heat Makes People Violent

[roobleh]

Article published Mar 15, 2007

Temperatures soar; so does crime

Summerlike weather keeps police busy.

 

TOM MOOR

Tribune Staff Writer

 

SOUTH BEND -- The summerlike weather this week in South Bend brought with it plenty of joggers, trips to the park and demands for ice cream.

 

It also brought a stabbing, shooting and a rash of large fights.

 

While some people joyfully take advantage of the warm, sunny weather, it tends to bring out the worst in others -- as was the case Tuesday evening in some areas of South Bend and St. Joseph County.

 

Violence tends to escalate during warmer weather, police say, especially when the temperatures rise so rapidly in such a short time, as was the case this week.

 

Tuesday's high temperature was 74 degrees, matching the previous record for the date set in 1995. It hit 66 degrees Wednesday."All of our guys have been busy all day," Sgt. Joe Leszczynski said Tuesday evening.

 

There were 18 fights in the city Tuesday, two of which involved weapons.

 

"We usually see a rise in crime when the (temperature) rises," South Bend police Capt. Phil Trent said. "A lot of people have cabin fever and are finally getting outside. People tend to get more amped and are more likely to mix it up with each other."

 

One of the more serious such occurrences Tuesday was a man being shot in the leg in the 600 block of North Johnson Street about 7 p.m. Police responded to the scene in reference to a fight involving about 20 people. There were approximately 50 people in the street and on the sidewalks when police arrived.

 

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old girl was reportedly attacked and beaten with a baseball bat by a group of girls about 8:10 p.m. at Muessel Park. The teen fell to the ground and was then kicked by several girls as she lay unconscious, according to police.There also was a stabbing Tuesday morning at Beacon Heights Apartments on the city's west side. A woman stabbed a man during a domestic dispute, police said.

 

No arrests have been made in any of the cases. None of the injuries are life-threatening, according to police.

 

Police say the transition between the seasons -- especially on days the temperature is above average -- can cause a spike in crime.The weather also played a role in a few accidents Tuesday. St. Joseph County police responded to two motorcycle crashes, spokeswoman Jaimee Thirion said. There also were a few more reports of domestic violence and fights in the county.

 

"People stay out later during this weather," Thirion said.

 

So do officers enjoy it?"There's more activity out there, but I think everyone likes it," Trent said. "It's easier to work in. They're action kind of guys. Most officers like to be busy."

 

But things may be slowing down a little.

 

Today's high: a forecasted 42.

[roobleh]

Is that why Africans are violent?

[Mowgli]

I remember a few of summers ago a couple of pensioners got into an arguement over nothing, and one ended up killing the other in italy...they said kuleelka badan messed with their maskaxs

[roobleh]

Violence tends to escalate during warmer weather, police say, especially when the temperatures rise so rapidly in such a short time, as was the case this week.

So, does that mean the continuous violence in Somalia is party due to the rising temperature?

 

What is the most violent month in Somalia?

[Miriam1]

Who Knows?

 

I remember Berbera was burning in August...didnt seem like a hotbed of volience..to me

[roobleh]

^ that is a good one, Hayam!

Though Berbera has a potential to violence, but other elements(ex.strong government) may influence not to spark to violence.

[N.O.R.F]

^^Warmer climates do not lead to violence, its actually better. Its only places that are usually cold (Western Europe - UK). A few drinks, a bit of heat then its "what you looking at you black ba*stard" the reply being "you what?" A puff of cloud (ala Tom and Jerry) with arms and legs flying and you have a bad situation.

 

Dont go near a pub on a warm night in the UK!

[roobleh]

North,

 

But how can you refute that Africa is warmer and more violent than Europe.

[N.O.R.F]

Your saying Africans are more violent based on what?

[roobleh]

North

 

Based on scienitific research, there is correlation between Heat and Violence. According to scientists, as temperature increases so does the aggression. I am not saying heat is the only factor, but is a contributing factor for violence.

 

For example, in the United States, there is more violence in the South than the North. It is a known fact that Southern states are hotter than Northern states. Again, heat alone is not the reason.

 

Hot temperatures increase aggression by directly increasing feelings of hostility and indirectly increasing aggressive thoughts...

Better climate controls in many institutional settings (e.g., prisons, schools, the workplace) may reduce aggression-related problems in those settings.

Anderson, C.A. (2001). Heat and Violence. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 33-38.

So, heat could be the factor that is triggering people to snap to violence. Less heat may mean that people are able to control the urge of committing violence. That is what I am inferring from the research and the fact that Africa is one of the most violent regions in the world.

 

Do you think whats happening in Somalia is party

related to HEAT?

[Taliban]

Originally posted by roobleh:

Do you think whats happening in Somalia is party

related to HEAT?

What's happening in Somalia is mostly related to secularism.

[Chimera]

Excuse excuse excuse - What is happening in Somalia is due to Qabiil

 

Djibouti the hottest spot in Africa is the most peacefull and less agressive of all the Horn Nations

[roobleh]

What's happening in Somalia is mostly related to secularism.

Taliban,

 

You know that is not the case bro! be realistic.

 

Excuse excuse excuse - What is happening in Somalia is due to Qabiil.

Excuse me bro! Clan (Qabiil)does not cause people to behave violently.

 

Djibouti the hottest spot in Africa is the most peacefull and less agressive of all the Horn Nations.

Once freedom is taken away, violence goes down.

That is true, but not a good option. Reducing violence and respecting freedom is the better option for me.

[Chimera]

Originally posted by roobleh:

Excuse me bro! Clan (Qabiil)does not cause people to behave violently.

no sister Qabiil has divided us and has turned respectable men into dirt, because of their loyalties to those s-tupid names, that is why you will see individuals praising the puppet government and it's allies on the same day a Sister is raped, it makes them myopic and sinister

 

Once freedom is taken away, violence goes down.

That is true, but not a good option. Reducing violence and respecting freedom is the better option for me.

you do know there are like 100 military bases stationed in the Middle east alone don't you? in places like Qatar,Oman,Turkey and Algeria so have they lost there freedom?

 

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0115-08.htm

 

trust me Somali people are beautiful people untill the moment they are bombarded with that ugly system some resist it and some drown in it

[roobleh]

you do know there are like 100 military bases stationed in the Middle east alone don't you? in places like Qatar,Oman,Turkey and Algeria so have they lost there freedom?

If you go back what I said earlier, heat is only one factor for increasing violence. Of course, Qatar is one of the least violent nations on the earth. Factors such as wealth, enough jobs, education, better police force etc. could counterbalance violence.