West side residents hit the streets to rally for peace this morning, and to kick- off Ceasefire week in Chicago.

Hundreds gathered for peace at Moos Elementary School inHumboldt Park for the 17th annual Walk for Peace. This year’s theme is preventing children’s exposure to violence.

Hundreds gather to march for peace in Humboldt Park

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‘It’s just astounding that here we are a civilized people living in what we would consider a civilized developed nation and yet we have this situation going on,’ Rev. Dr. Pedro J. Windsor said.

Ceasefire, the group behind today’s walk for peace, learned earlier this week that the Chicago Police Department would, for the first time, work with and fund the anti-violence group.

‘Ceasefire strategy is to work with high risk individuals get them to put their guns down on the front end it’s all about stopping the shootings before they occur,’ said Ceasefire Director Tio Hardiman

But the move by the city doesn’t come without concerns. In some instances, Ceasefire uses convicted felons to mediate gang conflicts. Mayor Emanuel cautioned the city wants to make sure offenders hired by Ceasefire are preventing crime, not committing it. 

“You are always going to have some skeptics and I understand law enforcement being a little skeptical because we have some ex-offenders that are doing the work. Now they are part of the solution,’ Hardiman said.

A strategy people out here marching for peace hope makes the difference in keeping their neighborhoods safe.

To see video from the news segment that aired on WGN follwo the link:http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-ceasefire-begins-week-of-events-20120602,0,3963280.story