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When it comes to crime, summer is prime time. Once schools let out, the summer crime spike has a way of creeping in.
The more time on their hands, the more often kids tend to find themselves in trouble and as summer kicks off, police are asking parents to pay attention.
No school, no schedule, no supervision.
"I like to play basketball," said one child. "I like to go to the pool," said another.
But when the fun outside fades away, there's trouble.
"They may think I'm gonna hang out at the pool or the beach or go to the movies and it doesn't always happen that way because these things cost money. So now, they go into stores and they may steal. They start finding other avenues to entertain themselves," said Myra Chamble who runs summer camp at the Cannon Street YMCA.
This, only the second year the program's open to teens, but parents couldn't be more thankful.
"It's too much trouble out there, just too much going on to leave them by themselves when you're working all day," said Victoria Coaxum, a West Ashley mom.
Though, time alone, not the only problem.
"There's some temperature related issues that come into play there, when it's hot people's tempers flare and those sorts of things impact the season," said Sheriff Al Cannon.
Domestic violence rates also rise and police often manage more trouble on the streets. Keeping kids out of the mix, Sheriff Cannon suggests keeping them occupied.
"It's just a little turn that can mess them up."
A slip up Coaxum hopes her 13-year-old will avoid with day camp filling his day instead of free reign. Sheriff Cannon wants to remind parents, kids can face serious consequences even at a young age. In South Carolina, 17-year-olds are considered adults, at least when it comes to crime. The YMCA's camp registration lasts throughout the summer, the cost is about $16 a day.
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