What has the miserable, rainy weather in Boston help to put a damper on so far this summer?
While the onslaught of miserable June weather played havoc with people’s plans and psyches, it has also provided a quiet benefit to many city neighborhoods. Fatal and nondeadly shootings in Boston have plunged, and police acknowledge the weather has been a key factor. Discuss COMMENTS (26) There was one shooting homicide last month, compared with three last June, six in June 2007, and seven in June 2006, according to city records. As important, the overall number of shootings fell by more than 60 percent from June 2008 to June 2009, with just 15 last month. If the drop in shootings is not exactly scientific proof that weather dictates street violence, it certainly provides strong grounds for debate. The drop in violent crimes comes in a month in which shootings and murders tend to spike, part of what police officials typically describe as the “long hot summer.’’ “We’ll take it every time,’’ Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said yesterday. “When the weather turns bad, and people are
OK, it’s wet. OK, everyone’s miserable. OK, the sun shines on every other city in the country and Mother Nature is spitting on Boston. But instead of thinking of this weather front as a personal affront, why not grab onto that silver lining and recognize the rainfall for what it is: a respite from the rat race known as summer. Yes, summer, the ultimate setup for personal and recreational failure, when every day is supposed to be a mini-vacation but usually ends with you packing away your shorts and tank tops in mid-September while wondering how it is you never made it to Woodman’s. Talk about seasonal pressure. But now, thanks to unremitting clouds and drizzle, it’s off. No need to squeeze into the bathing suit. Or do your hair (it’ll frizz up faster than a flash flood). Or sport a tan. Or go for that walk or run or bike ride or show up for bootie boot camp at 6 a.m. It’s pouring! As for the beach, no wonder everyone’s lying down, exposing themselves to deadly UVB rays. Getting there i
