As the temperature climbs each year, so does the nation's violent crime rate. Across the United States, cities consistently see an uptick in shootings, assaults, and other violent offenses during the summer months, particularly between June and August. Major holidays like the 4th of July are often flashpoints, with law enforcement agencies bracing for heightened activity driven by social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and warmer weather.

Violence during summer parades has become an alarming trend, with several high-profile incidents underscoring the risks associated with large public gatherings. On July 4, 2022, a mass shooting at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois, resulted in seven deaths and dozens of injuries. In 2024, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania experienced a drive-by shooting during a pop-up party on the 4th of July, leaving one person dead and eight others injured. One Philadelphia suburb canceled its annual 4th of July parade in 2025 citing safety concerns. 

According to criminologists and public safety experts, these patterns are persistent, especially in urban centers where gun violence is more prevalent, and the reasons behind this seasonal spike are multifaceted. School is out, increasing unsupervised youth presence in public spaces. Extended daylight hours and outdoor events create more opportunities for interpersonal conflict. And in economically stressed communities, the heat can intensify tensions that were already simmering. 

The Challenge: Visibility and Response

For police departments and state patrol agencies, this seasonal surge is not just a data trend, it’s an operational challenge. Staffing is often stretched thin due to vacations and increased call volume. Response times may lag during peak hours of activity. And perhaps most critically, the lack of real-time visibility into where and when crimes are unfolding can hinder proactive intervention and rapid follow-up investigations.

Traditional methods reliant on eyewitness accounts, delayed video pulls, or siloed dispatch systems leave law enforcement playing catch-up. In a summer environment where seconds matter and violence escalates quickly, agencies need tools that match the pace of the threat.

The Solution: Video and License Plate Readers (LPR) Combined

LPR and video, when used together, offer a powerful combination: LPR identifies what vehicle passed by, while video reveals exactly what happened in real time. When both tools are integrated into a single platform, investigators can save valuable time—no need to switch between systems or cobble together footage from disparate sources. Instead, everything is streamlined in one unified pane of glass. 

When LPR and video are at the same location, the cameras are synced, giving officers real-time, contextual data that ties license plate reads directly to visual events. 

Plus, the system’s flexible deployment—solar-powered and wireless—means it can be placed in parking lots, parks, intersections, campuses, and other areas without easy access to wired power. That makes it especially effective for securing the high-traffic, high-risk venues that host large summer gatherings, helping agencies maintain visibility and keep communities safe.

Flock Safety’s article, “Why Video is the Missing Link in Your LPR Program”, outlines how video adds critical context to a plate read. Together, these tools accelerate case resolution, reduce reliance on fragile eyewitness testimony, and enable smarter, safer response strategies.

The Takeaway: Summer Demands Smarter Policing

With violent crime surging during summer months, law enforcement agencies must evolve from reactive to proactive. A unified system that combines LPR and video security, deployed rapidly, powered by solar and LTE, and accessible from anywhere, gives officers the upper hand in both prevention and response.

This summer, technology can be the difference between a crime that escalates and one that’s stopped in its tracks.

Ready to see how LPR and video together can help your agency stay ahead of summer crime? Schedule a demo today and experience the power of real-time, unified evidence at your fingertips.