Atlanta hit 100 degrees for the first time this year, and officials say the extreme heat may be playing a role in a recent wave of violence across the city.
Following a string of weekend shootings, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens acknowledged the seasonal spike in crime, stating, “We know that summer months often bring some of the most challenging times, when it comes to crime and gun violence in our communities.”
While every case is different, experts say there’s long been a documented connection between extreme heat and spikes in violence. Dr. Thaddeus Johnson, a criminology professor at Georgia State University, explained that heat often acts as a trigger that amplifies other factors already in play…