MUNCIE, Ind. – Turn up the heat and humidity, add out-of-school teens, a sprinkle of tourists, and you have the perfect recipe for a long, hot summer of crime, says a Ball State University expert.

Crime statistics rise in July and August when the temperatures begin to bake most of the country, said Jerry McKean, a criminal justice professor.

According to FBI statistics, each month accounted for about 9.2 percent of 1997's violent and property crimes, a slight increase over June and September. February has the least amount of crimes at 7.2 percent.

"While it is just a slight increase over other summer months, it has been a consistent increase for several years," McKean said. "Police knew about the increase on a local level for years before the national statistics pointed it out. That is why it is called a long, hot summer. For police, there are no summer vacations."

The reasons for increased crime reports include the higher temperatures, increased tourism, out-of-school juveniles and empty homes at vacation times.

"One of the reasons is obvious because of the heat and we call it ‘heat aggravation," McKean said. "It gets hot and people get mad more easily. That leads to a loss of tempers and then to problems between people.

"At the same time, there is more opportunity for criminal activity during the warm summer months as opposed to February," he said. "Summer brings potential victims, offenders and things to steal all together at one time."

Police reports are usually filled with teens as victims or criminals because they have time on their hands during the summer, McKean said.

Teens are more likely to be involved in crime because they are away from controlled environments, such as home or school, he said.

"Political rhetoric says that schools are a dangerous place to be, but in fact school and home are safe compared to the city park, the mall or driving around town. Kids are more likely to get in trouble because of the availability of alcohol and cars."

McKean said if individuals would simply use common sense, they can reduce their chances of becoming victims.

Parents should pay extra attention to their children’s activities and whereabouts. While on vacation, keep doors locked at all times and watch out for strangers, he said.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact McKean by e-mail at jmckean@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-8689.)