Monday, November 9, 2009

Scientists Link Sunlight To Homicide

"Sunlight As Pathogen"
"Sunlight Found To Be Homicide Vector"
"Sunlight As A Risk Factor For Homicide In The Home"
"Shady Or Peril?"

On Aug. 26, 2006, something unusual happened in New York City.

It was a Saturday in the heart of summer, the kind of day that averages more than two homicides. Yet the police reported no killings.

One other thing happened that day: It rained.

In fact, an analysis by The New York Times of rainfall and homicides for the last six years shows that when it rains substantially in the summertime, there are fewer homicides.

When there was no precipitation, there was an average of 17 homicides every 10 days. But when there was an inch or more of rain, the average dropped to 14.

That does not surprise Vernon J. Geberth, a former Bronx homicide squad commanding officer. He said that when there was a downpour, the police would sometimes joke, “The best cop in the world is on duty tonight.”

The story is from last July, but somehow I missed it.

Lost the referring blog. Can someone enlighten (no pun intended) me?

2 comments:

Heli gunner Tom said...

My comment might sound 'politically incorrect'... but minorities don't like to go out in the rain... lol. When the weather is hot and muggy in Milwaukee, we have at least 2-3 murders and rapes per day! In the Winter, the crime is lower, IMHO.
Interesting post!

Cordially,
Tom S
tschuckman@aol.comk
Disabled Vietnam Veteran: 68-70

On a Wing and a Whim said...

If it were sunlight alone, wouldn't all points north of the arctic circle be rapidly depopulated in summer, every year?

That said, hooligans with too much time on their hands and no good intentions only like to be outside when it's nice out, or too hot to stay indoors.

http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/1985-1989/87A.PDF