After years of stunning declines in crime, the number of shootings has increased in the first three months of the year, putting some of those hard-won gains at risk. Now, warmer weather is around the corner, a time when gun violence often increases. NY1’s Dean Meminger looks at the trends and how the NYPD hopes to battle back.

The crackle of gunfire is becoming more common. The number of people shot in the city is up about 7 percent. The NYPD says it knows who's causing most of the violence, and it's going to do something about it.

"At least 50 percent of our shootings are going to be tied to gangs, and that number, quite frankly, is probably higher," says Deputy Commissioner Dermot Shea.

As of March 26, 229 people were shot, compared to 214 during the same period last year.

Many times those pulling the trigger are young men, members of gangs or crews. Police are calling them in for face-to-face sitdowns.

"It is not blanket enforcement. It is not random enforcement. It is targeted, strategic," says NYPD Deputy Commissioner Susan Herman.

Herman is the NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Collaborative Policing. After shootings began rising last year, the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies started teaming up for what's called Cease Fire, a program used in other cities. Police have met twice with Brooklyn gangs since December.

“We have had over 30 members representing over 20 groups at these two call-ins. We ask them to take this message and tell everybody in your group," Herman says.

She says members are offered help from various social services.

"But if you continue to be violent, the next group that commits a homicide, the most violent group at that time, we will take action against all members," Herman says. "That's what is different, we don't typically communicate directly to people involved in crime."

The probation department is also involved and says it is more than willing to take people's freedom away.

"This is no joke, OK. We are taking this very serious and things will happen to you if the violence continues," says Probation Commissioner Ana Bermudez.

The NYPD also plans to put plenty of police officers on overtime when the weather heats up. The Summer All Out initiative will also be brought back.

That moves hundreds of officers from desk jobs and puts them on patrol.