Summer Crime Trends: Why the Hottest Months Bring the Most Risk

Summary

• Summer brings a measurable rise in violent crime, property theft, and retail loss—especially around holidays and public events.
• Factors like heat, tourism, school breaks, and longer daylight hours all contribute to higher criminal activity.
• Industries like construction, retail, and public parking see the biggest seasonal impact—and the biggest opportunity to prevent losses.
• Reliable security cameras, outdoor security units, and AI-powered solutions help organizations monitor, deter, and respond in real time.

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Step outside on a August afternoon and you’ll feel it immediately—thick, stagnant air, sweat dripping down your back, the sun threatening to burn every inch of exposed skin. You were hoping for a quick walk and some fresh air, but three steps in, you’re already regretting it. 

When everything is hot, sticky, and uncomfortable, it's easy to lose your cool (literally and figuratively). You’re not crazy. Researchers at Drexel University found that violent crime increases by about 9% on hotter-than-average days. Higher temperatures heighten agitation, lower impulse control, and push small conflicts into dangerous territory. It’s one of many reasons that crime tends to spike during the summer. 

The silver lining is that since this spike in crime is predictable, you can prepare for it. 

In this blog, we’ll explore why crime rises with the temperature and how reliable security cameras can help you prevent problems this summer and beyond. 

6 Reasons Crime Spikes in the Summer

1. Increase in Outdoor Activity and Social Gatherings

Summer naturally pulls people outside. Festivals, barbecues, block parties, concerts…these gatherings are great for community and connection, but they also mean a lot of people packed into one space. And big crowds mean more chances for someone to bump into the wrong person, get pickpocketed without noticing, or find themselves caught in the middle of a conflict they had nothing to do with.

2. Higher Travel and Tourism

With more people traveling in the summer, hotels, airports, parking structures, and public attractions all get busier. That means more luggage left in lobbies, more bags stashed in cars, and more people walking around with valuables in unfamiliar areas. Also, tourists tend to be distracted—they’re checking directions, taking photos, keeping an eye on kids—which makes them easy targets for pickpocketing or petty theft. 

3. Students Are Out of School

With school out, there’s more free time and less structure for kids, teens, and young adults. That doesn’t inherently mean crime, but it does increase the chance for loitering, vandalism, or trespassing, especially in under-supervised areas like parks, parking lots, or retail spaces.

4. Higher Temperatures

As mentioned already, studies confirm that hot days correlate with increases in violence and aggression. Combine that with public settings where people are already overstimulated or under the influence, and you have a formula for conflict.

5. Longer Daylight Hours

Longer daylight hours don’t necessarily mean more crime happens in the daylight, but they do extend the amount of time people are out and about. That increase in public activity:

• Creates more opportunities for theft, altercations, and crowd-related violence.
• Leads to more vehicles left unattended for longer periods of time, increasing the risk of auto-related theft (like catalytic converter theft).

6. Reduced Staffing and Security

Summer is vacation season, which means many employees are taking time off, and businesses are operating with fewer people than usual. These staffing gaps can lead to reduced oversight at the exact time when foot traffic, activity, and potential threats are increasing. 

Industry Breakdown

Construction Sites

The construction industry loses an estimated $1 billion each year to theft, and fewer than 7% of stolen items are ever recovered. That’s a massive annual loss—and a problem that hits hardest during the summer. Summer is the busiest season for construction. Longer daylight hours and fewer weather delays mean accelerated timelines, but it also means more unattended tools, equipment, and materials. 

Parking Lots

Parking lots see a lot of crime year-round—they are the third most common location for violent crime, and in 2022, more than 5,000 catalytic converters were stolen every month. But summer creates a perfect storm. More people are out driving to events, stores, and public attractions, which means more vehicles parked for longer periods of time. That increased traffic, combined with limited visibility or oversight in many lots, makes them an easy target for both property theft and violent incidents.

Retail Locations

The retail industry is no stranger to theft. In 2023, there were over 1.15 million reported cases of shoplifting in the U.S., and in 2024, retailers lost an estimated $45 billion to theft. Summer only adds fuel to the fire. Foot traffic increases as people take time off, visit shopping centers, or escape the heat indoors. At the same time, many stores are operating with leaner teams due to vacations. That combination creates the perfect conditions for shoplifters to slip through unnoticed.

Tips to Stay Ahead of Summer Crime

Invest in Reliable Security Cameras

Reliable security cameras allow you to keep eyes on your property around the clock. They’re also a great crime deterrent—visible security cameras are often enough to deter criminals. Look for systems with high uptime, minimal maintenance needs, and remote access, so you’re never left in the dark. Solar security cameras are especially useful in remote areas or places where power isn’t consistent or the grid isn’t accessible. 

Secure Your Perimeter with Outdoor Security Units

Parking lots, perimeters, and access points are some of the areas most vulnerable to summer-related crime. Outdoor security units act as a virtual perimeter, allowing you to monitor those zones 24/7 and keep unwanted visitors out. Whether you’re managing a construction site, retail location, or municipal property, having that exterior coverage is critical for deterring threats before they get inside.

Use AI-Powered Solutions to Detect and Deter

AI-powered security systems can identify unusual behavior, filter out false alarms, eliminate the hassle of manually reviewing footage, and reduce the workload for stretched-thin security teams. Some can even deter threats in real time by issuing automated, personalized voice warnings.

Get Ahead of Summer Crime with Reliable Security Cameras

Statistically, summer is the most violent time of year. If you're responsible for keeping people, property, or assets safe, this seasonal spike in crime is something you must plan for. 

LVT helps businesses, law enforcement agencies, property managers, government organizations, and more stay ahead of threats with reliable security cameras. Our solar-powered, mobile surveillance units give you flexible coverage where and when you need it. 

If you’re interested in learning more, contact our team today.