Nina In New York: This Warm Weather Is Positively Criminal
A young professional's take on the trials and tribulations of everyday life in New York City.
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By Nina Pajak
I haven't been wearing a lot of socks recently.
I know it sounds spoiled or delusional or something, but now that I've grown accustomed to this sub-tropical climate (oh, it didn't take long), I'm finding it extremely difficult to re-adapt to the cumbersome necessities of winter, like shoes that close all the way and warm socks and hats and such things.
Read More: Is Unseasonably Warm Weather To Blame For Increase In City Crime?
So this weekend, we slingshot back into a more seasonably appropriate clime, and I won't lie. It was rough. I know everyone's been saying things like, "But it's supposed to be cold!" But as it turns out, climate change has something of an amnesiac effect on the general psyche.
Not only are we completely forgetful of the fact that we ought to be expecting snow and frigid, blustery conditions, but we can't remember how we ever endured them in years past. As far as I'm concerned, I've been living somewhere in the lower Mid-Atlantic region my entire life. I'm completely and hopelessly unequipped for temperatures below 30°. I don't know how you people do it up here.
The funny thing is, the warm weather doesn't seem to be having the effect which is often seen in other parts of the country. You know, California, the South and Southwest. People are always blaming Northeasterners' sourpuss attitudes and unfriendly natures on the unfriendly climate. You know, the concept that it's so cold up here (and further to the North), that people just put their heads down and get where they're going. Seasonal affected disorder and all that. And on the contrary, in more temperate areas, people are laid back and easygoing, friendly and well-rested. They surf during lunch and "get outdoors." Crap like that.
Only when we get blessed with unseasonable warmth, what happens? Our crime rate goes up. That's right. Major crimes are up 5.7 percent, and the NYPD blames the lack of snow. Burglars, murderers and rapists all apparently put their sinful urges on hold when it's cold and snowy, choosing instead to stay home where it's nice and warm. And who can blame 'em? The getaway driving is far more dangerous and icy roads, and armed robbery is just so much nicer when you don't have to worry about wearing snow boots. Call me a cynic, but I find this surprising. I mean at the very least, those ski masks must be so much more comfortable when there's a nip in the air.
Read More: Plants Blooming Early From Unseasonable Warm Weather
And have we ever been put on warning during the summer months specifically? Up to this point, I've been unaware of any increase in personal danger in the city between June and October. Aside from a spike in body odor, of course.
Last year, crime rose less than 1% over the year prior, and I'm pretty sure it got nice and hot for quite some time. Something doesn't add up here.
Then again, I never was very good at math.
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Dear Readers: While I am rarely at a loss for words, I'm always grateful for column ideas. Please feel free to e-mail me your suggestions.
Nina Pajak is a writer and publishing professional living with her husband on the Upper West Side.
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