70

   
  

-v-Humboldt Park
Chlcago

Homicides Per 100,000

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Fig. 4.2. Homicides in Chicago and Humboldt Park,
1 9 6 5?20 1 

The war-like conditions and the high-
pro?le 1 984 gang killing of high school
basketball star Ben Wilson prompted
Mayor Washington to experiment with
con?ict mediation programs employing

former gang members.8 The YMCA
outreach program led by Ray Vazquez was
expanded by the City of Chicago, emulating
the Crisis Intervention Network of
Philadelphia. Their efforts touched the
lives of thousands of people, and homicides
declined in the Washington years.
But with Washington?s death, a con?ict

21 mins left in chapter 15%