July 21, 2019

Massachusetts police ask residents to 'hold off' on crime until heat wave is over

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Police in Massachusetts asked a simple favor of residents who may be planning a crime over the weekend: please wait until the heat wave is over to conduct your criminal activity.

Around 93 million people were under excessive heat warnings and advisories over the weekend, including several states in the Northeast. In Massachusetts, the heat index was slated to reach as high as 112 degrees in some places, according to ABC Boston affiliate WCVB.

Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP
A boy plays in a splash pad in Pittsfield, Mass., July 19, 2019.

Multiple police departments requested that any would-be criminals spare them from having to respond during scorching temperatures.

(MORE: Records fall as last day of heat wave bakes Midwest, East Coast)

"Due to the extreme heat, we are asking anyone thinking of doing criminal activity to hold off until Monday," the Braintree Police Department posted to Facebook. "It is straight up hot as soccer balls out there. Conducting criminal activity, in this extreme heat is next level henchmen status, and also very dangerous."

The police department suggested that people stay home, blast the air conditioning and binge-watch Season 3 of "Stranger Things" instead.

Ben Garver/The Berkshire Eagle via AP
Swimmers cool off at the beach at Burbank Park on Onota Lake in Pittsfield, Mass., July 19, 2019.

The Malden Police Department also took a stand against venturing outside in the sweltering heat, stating that all criminal activity has been put on hold "until further notice."

(MORE: Dangerous heat wave scorches millions in Midwest, East Coast)

"It is going to be extremely hot over the weekend," the police department posted to Facebook. "Malden Police is advising all criminals to stay inside until further notice."

However, the department warned residents that they are still ready to uphold the law, stating that they are "staying hydrated to ensure that the great City of Malden is protected."

Temperatures are expected to drop to normal on Monday.

(MORE: Flushing drugs down the toilet could lead to 'meth-gators,' Tennessee police department warns)