Crime figures rise and fall for a number of reasons. One common connection between the level of reported crimes is the weather. Crime reports commonly fluctuate season to season and summer months, particularly in places like Las Vegas, see notable changes in the types and frequency of criminal offenses.
Crime rates in Las Vegas are up during the warm summer of 2024 in Las Vegas, which is reflective of general trends of rising crime during warmer months. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has reported a notable uptick in violent crime, particularly in densely populated areas like the Strip corridor and Fabulous Fremont Street area downtown.
According to recent news reporting by Nevada Public Radio (KNPR), year-over-year crime in Las Vegas has also seen a 14% rise, and the city’s violent crime rate is now 40% higher than the national average. The connection between crime and temperature has been the subject of numerous studies. One well-known study that establishes the link between warmer weather and increased crime rates is the “Heat and Violence” study conducted by Craig A. Anderson and his colleagues, published in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science (2001). This study examined the relationship between temperature and aggression, proposing that higher temperatures are linked to increased aggressive behavior, which in turn can lead to higher rates of violent crime.