What impact does seasonality have on vandalism in the NYC MTA system?
1. Higher Vandalism in Winter Months (End/Start of Year): Peaks in vandalism incidents often occur around late fall or early winter, such as December to January. This might be attributed to increased indoor activities in colder months or heightened social stress during holiday seasons.
2. Decreased Vandalism in Summer (Mid-Year Lows): There seems to be a pattern of lower vandalism incidents during the summer months (June to August), potentially because of decreased ridership or increased outdoor activities drawing people away from public transit systems.
3. Irregular Spikes Reflect Event-Driven Trends: While seasonal trends are evident, irregular spikes in vandalism (e.g., mid-2022 and late 2023) suggest that specific events or external factors (e.g., social unrest, service changes, or specific incidents) play a significant role beyond simple seasonality.