A correlation between cold weather and a drop in violence undoubtedly
exists, according to several academics whose habitats range from
sun-drenched Miami to frostbitten Iowa.
“Some have argued that there is something about cold that actually
inhibits aggression — literally the effect that cold has on the brain,”
said Ellen G. Cohn, a professor of criminal justice at Florida
International University.
She added, however, that she believed cold
reduced violence primarily for a different reason: fewer people are
likely to be on the streets, which, she said, means “victims and
offenders are less likely to come into contact with each other.”
