RALEIGH, N.C. — Summer is here, and for some communities this could mean an uptick in crime.

According to a 2014 study by the U.S. Department of Justice on Seasonal Patterns in Criminal Victimization Trends, serious violence was significantly higher during the summer as opposed to winter, spring and fall seasons.

What You Need To Know

  •  Study shows serious violence is significantly higher during the summer than the winter, spring and fall seasons

  •  A Durham organization, Together for Resilient Youth, is trying to address behavior health challenges

  •  Through events, mentoring, group sessions, Together for Resilient is supporting people of all ages

The study, which looks at crime trends over a 17 year period, shows winter rates of serious violence were approximately 6% lower on average than summer rates. Rates for spring were about 5% lower, and fall rates were 3% lower.

Together for Resilient Youth (TRY) is an organization trying to address behavior health challenges, like violence, in communities. Leaders educate and offer support to people of all ages through programs and events. Living in Future Tense is a program geared toward youth.

“We mainly use education, positive affirmation and good influence because there’s too much of a negative influence, there’s too many negative things around young people,” Nathalia Rosales, a 16-year-old leader for Living in Future Tense, said.

Rosales joined TRY three years ago and says the program has changed her life for the better.

Because certain crimes are known to increase over the summer in comparison to other months, Rosales is hoping TRY can give youth more opportunities and let them know the organization has their back if they need it.

“Since there is no school, this is really beneficial to help them not stray the path of like, as you mentioned before, crime, and so they feel like they have purpose so they feel like they can do things,” Rosales said.