During a week when people in Chicago – and around the country – were swamped with stories that an alligator was inhabiting the Humboldt Park Lagoon, there’s a largely untold local story that hits closer to home – the continuing movement of people in the community working together to prevent violence. Residents of West Humboldt Park who are actively working to create a peaceful community joined the Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO) for the 24th annual Walk for Peace last Saturday. Humboldt Park is currently ranked 4th among Chicago’s 77 community areas for shootings and homicides. While violent crimes in Chicago often spike when the heat rises, the Walk for Peace reflects the success of street outreach, case management and other effective strategies for preventing violence. ALSO partners with many of these organizations, including the YMCA, Chicago CRED, Metropolitan Family Services, and Communities Partnering 4 Peace, which features ALSO and Chicago’s other leading outreach organizations that have combined their expertise to jointly impact nine Chicago communities most affected by gun violence.