HUMBOLDT PARK — Under the bright lights in Humboldt Park, a squad of Chicago Police officers dropped their uniforms to don a more casual logo last week, "five-0."
For the first time in 40 years, the annual all-star event between the CPD team and youth from a gang peace league returned to Humboldt Park last week. The event formerly was held at Thillens Stadium on the Far North Side.
The game is a showcase for players from BUILD's youth and adult leagues, a project that assists gang members and other at-risk youth in crisis to increase their self-esteem and get them to break down bariers.
During the summer the barriers of race, neighborhood and gang affiliation are the usual targets, but Thursday night the game between police and the BUILD all-stars was center stage.
It's a night that levels the playing field.
"I think it shows they do the same things we do," said 32-year-old Humboldt Park resident Willie Correa. "They are human. We are able to play softball together, hang out, talk."
This year's game was the first time it was played in Humboldt Park. All photos by DNAinfo/Paul Biasco
It's a competitive game, but that's a benefit for both sides, Correa said.
"Of course they are going to talk trash, but it's a good trash, competitive trash talk," he said.
Sgt. Benny Martinez of the 18th District has been playing in the annual game for years and has seen the positive effects first hand.
Martinez, a 23-year veteran with the police, said he has come across BUILD participants while on patrol, and they have recognized him from the annual game.
"They go, 'Hey man I remember you. I played against you last year,’" Martinez said. "It’s a nice feeling because you know the kids that you mingle with and are talking to are on the right path. You just get that sense."
The police won 16 to 12.
The game, which was played at the Little Cubs Field, 1339 Luis Munoz Drive in Humboldt Park, capped off BUILD's summer programming.
The 46-year-old organization has worked in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods, growing from a group of about 200 gang-affiliated teens in 1969 to 3,000 youth per year.
The organization focuses on four priority communities, Austin, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park and Logan Square, but also provided support in a few additional areas throughout Chicago.
Many of the participants used to be gang members and were enemies, according to Martin Anguiano, BUILD's manager of intervention services.
"That's the beauty of this," Anguino said. "On the outside they were enemies and shooting at each other, but here they are friends and giving each other high fives, just playing."
BUILD's officials say they have not had a single violent incident occur during the organization's lengthy history.
One of the biggest difficulties BUILD has faced in recent years is the transfer of students from one school or community to another because of school closings or other outside factors.
"Maybe they are from one part of a community moving into another and some are gang related or not," said David Osorio, BUILD's director of street intervention services. "There's always an issue with the gangs when you are a new face in the community."
BUILD brings together youth from a variety of neighborhoods with the hope that when they run into each other on the street or at a new school, they will have that bond of playing softball together.
"When they go into school they say, 'hey I know this guy, we play baseball together,' that’s a friendly face," Osorio said.
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