Crime Heats up in Summer Months

boortz law blast

volume 2 issue 5

june 2014

Greetings All,

Whether you have enjoyed the many outdoor festivals and concerts Atlanta has to offer, or spent time lounging at the pool, I hope the month of June has treated you well. With the increase in outdoor social activities taking place during the summer, I thought it would be interesting to explore the correlation between crime and the heat. Check out my article below on this topic. In addition, I am honored to feature financial planner and author,Tana Gildea, a professional who is passionate about helping the next generation avoid money mistakes by providing financial education.

To your success,
Kathryn Boortz
Criminal Defense Attorney
www.boortzlaw.com

Crime Heats up in Summer Months

Numerous published studies regarding weather and crime have yielded similar results: as temperatures increase in the summer months, there is a direct correlation with the increase in crime. Differences in the type of increased crime can vary across the country. For instance, FBI data shows an increase up to 10% in criminal activity overall in summer months, while murders and assaults specifically have seen a national increase up to 3% in some years. Other studies show the biggest segment increase coming from non-aggravated assaults (those without weapons), like domestic violence. The reason is simple: more people interact due to an increase in social activities and time spent outdoors in hotter months, thus increasing the opportunity for crime to occur (this is also referred to as the "Routine Activities Theory"). The type of crime that occurs during these months varies from region to region, but property and auto theft show a consistent increase across the nation. Juvenile crime is also a consistent segment that shows increase in summer months, due to school not being in session.

Heat is also shown to increase heart rate and aggression, thus making seemingly trivial interactions between strangers lead to violence. Fights often break out as a result of these physiological effects that might otherwise be quelled in cooler months. Interestingly, however, there are arguments that in certain regions once temperatures increase above 85 degrees, the spike in crime rates begins to level out, making it plausible that sometimes, it’s just too hot, even for crime.

The correlation between data and crime in the summer months can be complex and does not give a clear picture of cause and effect. Georgia, however, is taking precautionary measures and implementing a Summer Safety Initiative. Under the direction of Police Chief George N. Turner, the Atlanta Police Department will implement precautionary initiatives like increased patrols across all units (foot, mounted, etc.); dedicated safety zones during special events; routine traffic stops; and youth prevention programs.

Sources: Julia Dahl, CBS News; Hunt Archibold, Midtown.patch.com

Professional In the Spotlight: Tana Gildea

Tana Gildea is a financial planner with Compass Financial Planning, LLC, in Atlanta. In addition to offering financial planning services, Tana is also a certified college planning specialist who truly enjoys working with families to create strategies for college funding. Next month, she will publishing her first book, The Graduate's Guide to Money (www.graduatesguidetomoney.com) This book stems from her passion for helping young graduates understand the importance of managing money and having a financial plan. Talented and creative, Tana is an excellent resource to families and young people at any stage in their financial planning journey. You can contact Tana at: 770-563-8898 or email: tana@financialdirection.com, and also check out her firm's website at: www.financialdirection.com.

Q: What type of business are you in?
A: I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®. I consider myself to be a financial guide on the journey of life and love to create long-term relationships with clients to help them “climb their financial mountain” whatever that mountain looks like for them. These days, there are no straight lines with careers and companies so change is a daily fact of life. When change strikes - good, bad or in the middle - my clients know that I am on the other end of the phone to help work through the financial impact. My firm provides investment management services within the context of creating the long-term plan. What that means for us is that investing is the last piece of the puzzle after we know everything else about our client’s big picture and their minute details. We don’t fit for someone who wants to just drop money into an account and say “go invest.”

Q:How do you define success?
A:To me success is loving what I do all day, every day, whether at work or at play. I am a doer so I am on the go with projects, plans, and action whether that is a home improvement project, writing, volunteering, or hanging out with family and friends. I am so grateful to have found a way to make a living doing what I am passionate about. I believe that if you do what you are passionate about, give first, and have fun, life will reward you with friends, fulfillment, and a few coins in your pocket.

Q: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
A: Martha Beck (life coach, author, trainer). She is kooky, fun, and brilliant. I love that she had the courage to be who she was before it was cool to be unique.

Q: What ability or skill do you most wish you had?
A: To sing beautifully. I am so blessed in so many ways but a good singing voice got lost in the shuffle!

Q: What was your favorite book?
A: Wow – that is tough as I am voracious. Fiction is The Thornbirds or Poisonwood Bible for the “sweeping saga” that takes you somewhere else. Nonfiction is anything by Martha Beck – she makes me laugh and think at the same time. And, most importantly, my favorite soon-to-be-published book (July) is my first book, The Graduate’s Guide to Money. I am passionate about helping the next generation avoid some of the money mistakes that I made coming right out of school and giving them some financial education that seems to be lacking in most high schools and colleges. Everybody needs to understand money and to create a financial plan even when they can’t afford to hire a financial planner! I am also a featured author in a collaborate book, Building a Business, Building a Life: Incredible Stories of Women Entrepreneurs which will be published this fall. Maybe someday one of those books will be someone’s favorite!

Please contact me if you would like to nominate a professional to be featured in this monthly e-newsletter.

Motivation and Inspiration

"You ought to be glad for the troubles on your job because they provide about half your income. If it were not for the things that go wrong, the difficult people with whom you deal, and the problems of your working day, someone could be found to handle your job for half of what you are being paid.

So start looking for more troubles. Learn to handle them cheerfully and with good judgment as opportunities rather than irritations, and you will find yourself getting ahead at a surprising rate. For there are plenty of big jobs waiting for people who are not afraid of troubles."

--Robert Updegraff, Management Consultant

Thanks for checking out my newsletter. If I can ever be a resource to you, please let me know. I am a criminal defense trial attorney and handle cases at both the state and federal level. I also have a thriving juvenile defense practice and enjoy working with families.

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boortz law blast

volume 2 issue 5 june 2014

Crime Heats up in Summer Months

Professional In the Spotlight: Tana Gildea

Motivation and Inspiration

volume 2 issue 5

june 2014