SOUTH BEND — Hot weather means the start of summer nd more shootings. Police says cities throughout the country are seeing a spike in crime, which can be prevented with planning.

Police say when the school year ends, boredom begins for many teenagers and it's a cause for concern.

Right now, the summer shootings have involved young adults.

But South Bend Police Chief Darryl Boykins says some summer crime can be stopped if kids get involved in other activities.

Summer is soccer season for the Quinones.

"It's important because they don't want them getting into trouble at school, in gangs," said Raphael Quinones who watched his cousins play.

Their summer days aren't carefree.

"Maybe there could be a shooting around here right now, and they're playing soccer," said Quinones.

The FBI just released 2007 crime figures. 805 violent crimes were committed in South Bend, the same as 2006.

But there's been a recent spike — 8 shootings in two weeks.

"This is occurring nationally in every large city," said South Bend Police Chief Darryl Boykins.

Police often find themselves face-to-face with kids.

"There is nothing to do around here for us teens, so we try to find other things to occupy our time," said a Washington High School junior.

"Just being in the wrong place at the wrong time," worried a Navarre student.

Boykins says giving kids boxing gloves or a tennis racket, instead of a gun, can curb summer crime.

"I think they give kids an alternative. They give kids a relationship with law enforcement officers," said Boykins of his summer youth tennis and boxing programs.

But that isn't always enough. One teen says he disobeys the curfew law and often gets into fights that are broken up by police.

"I ain't gone to jail," he said.

That's when police say it's up to parents to make a difference.

"You can't just leave it in the hands of the police department. It goes into the nature of raising a kid and knowing what your kids are doing," said Boykins.

In the past, summer PSAs cut crime. The chief says one will come later this summer.

He's also finding time to practice what he preaches. He spoke to kids Thursday night about making right choices. He says he'll also continue to work with the South Bend Police boxing and tennis programs this summer.