Summer Heat May Be Keeping Criminals On Ice

Although studies show aggressive behavior tends to increase when temperatures rise, it appears Oklahoma's string of 100-degree days is keeping criminals indoors and out of trouble.

Tuesday, July 12th 2011, 9:38 pm

By: News 9


Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- Although studies show aggressive behavior tends to increase when temperatures rise, it appears Oklahoma's string of 100-degree days is keeping criminals indoors and out of trouble.

"Well, it's too hot for anybody to be out, and that includes criminals," said Glynda Chu with the Edmond Police Department. "Here in Edmond our crime rate is fairly low, usually. It's probably one of the lowest in the state, day to day. And when you have heat temperatures like this? People are staying home."

Chu says people also tend to be more careful when it's extremely hot. They stay inside more, make sure their doors and windows are locked, and their garage doors are down. They do so not to prevent crime, but to keep the cool air from air conditioners inside.

"Usually when it's cool, you want to open those windows up and leave your garage door open. And when we have temperatures like this, that just doesn't happen," Chu said.

The Midwest City police chief says since the temperatures spiked, he's seen a shift in the time criminal activity occurs. He says typically, crooks tend to be at their most active between 3 p.m. and 1 a.m. But because of the heat, the busiest time has shifted from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., when temperatures are cooler.

News 9 spoke with Del City, Mustang and Yukon police departments. They all say they have not seen a significant increase in crime during these triple-digit temperatures.

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