This past Fourth of July, 139 shootings left 35 people dead across the United States, a statistic that reflects a violent pattern repeated every year on the country’s birthday.
According to FIU criminology professor Ellen Cohn, the spike is the result of many factors combined: alcohol, large crowds, a national holiday and heat.
Each is closely linked with increased crime rates and gun violence, and their combination makes the Fourth of July the most dangerous holiday of the year.
In Pensacola, a 19-year-old was killed and six others were injured on the night of Independence Day in what is known as a “teen takeover” — a growing trend during the summer months as kids are out of school and out of routine, according to Cohn.
With large crowds and a surge in calls, police are overwhelmed.
“There’s a question of staffing,” said Cohn. “Curfews for teenagers are only effective if you have the police to enforce them.”
On Tuesday, three days after the Fourth of July, Albany released its Office of Violence Prevention plan to expand its public safety approach. To Cohn, the timing demonstrates the issue.
“That’s fantastic, except all the gun violence was over the weekend,” said Cohn. “The focus is reactive.”
