A Seasonal Crime?: A Quantitative Examination of the Relationship Between Criminal Charges in the City of Lynchburg and Seasons of the Year with Reference to Gender and Race

Previously, many criminologists have focused on the intersectionality of gender and race with reference to only one or a few specific crime categories, such as theft or illegal drug use (Sommers et al., 1996; Bushman et al., 2005; Stalans & Ritchie, 2008). According to Sommers & Baskin (1992), gender causes misinterpretation without the inclusion of race when researching violent crime because both characteristics are inherently linked to an individual’s identity. Furthermore, there is a seasonal component to analyzing crime (Hipp et. al., 2004). Using data from the City of Lynchburg Office of Corrections in Virginia from January 2010 to July 2018, 34 crime categories (N=74,147) were sorted based on season of the year and were tested with binomial logistic regression models where gender and race were predictor variables. Drawing from general strain theory, routine activities theory, and temperature-aggression theory, the hypotheses are that there are significant gender and race disparities within crime categories and that these disparities vary based on season. The results of this study suggest support for both hypotheses. The results suggest a combination of routine activities theory and general strain theory to understand crime. However, temperature-aggression theory is not supported