Violent crime can be defined as a crime in which the offender uses or threatens to use violent force on the victim. Violent crime in the United States is still widespread, although it has been decreasing over the years. Examples of violent crimes include robbery, assault, murder, or rape. Although violent crime is decreasing across the country, the amount varies from city to city. This is an important social problem that needs to be brought to attention because it has negative effects on society. If awareness of violent crimes increases, fewer violent crimes will occur. But most importantly, people need to know an explanation for these violent crimes. One city that has violent crime is Phoenix, Arizona. There is an article that provides an explanation on the impact of urbanization and warming in Phoenix on the city. Craig Anderson, a professor at Phoenix University, has studied the relationship between temperature and crime in Phoenix. “High temperatures increase irritability and aggression in controlled laboratory experiments, and numerous studies have shown positive correlations between temperature and violent crime” (Baker 6). Anderson used crime statistics from 50 U.S. cities and estimated that violent crime increased 0.45 percent for every 1 degree Fahrenheit increase in annual temperature. One explanation for why violent crimes occur more frequently than others is the warm climate. The hotter it gets, the more people there are outside, which leads to a greater possibility of violent crime. Another article that provides an explanation for the violent crime that exists in Phoenix is ​​the relationship between schools and crime. Dale Willits, Lisa Broidy, and Kristine Denman conducted a study in Arizona schools to see if there was a link between schools and neighborhood crime rates... middle of paper... protection?". Journal of Psychology community. 2009. Web. 14 April 2014. “Does three strikes really deter?” The Clute Institute. 14 April 2014. Knowles, David in Los Angeles declines for the tenth consecutive year, making it the safest big city in America, but cell phone thefts are on the rise." NyDailyNews. January 8, 2013. Web. April 14, 2014. Perry, January "Let us speak for ourselves our dollars: Divesting the assault weapons industry, a powerful step forward." The HuffPost of Los Angeles. February 6, 2013. Web. April 14, 2014. Voisin, Dexter R. "African American Teens Living and Coping with Community Violence on Chicago's South Side." Wise Publications. June 28, 2011. Web. April 14, 2014. Willits, Dale. “Schools, neighborhood risk factors, and crime.” Wise publications. February 25, 2013. Web. April 14 2014.