Humboldt Park is one of the most beautiful, peaceful and culture oriented neighborhoods. Humboldt Park, beautiful, peaceful and culture oriented are four terms that you might have never imagined to hear in the same sentence. Unlike, what many outsiders may think of Humboldt Park as a community plagued with crime and violence I can assure you that it is far from that.

As I made my way into the remarkably beautiful community I could not help but gasp at the beauty of the park itself. As an outsider I only heard negative comments about Humboldt Park and never dared to enter such violent territory. Of course I received all my information from local news stations that sensationalized every story that dealt with shootings, robberies, assaults and so on.

“Humboldt Park is my home away from home” said a local resident that moved from Puerto Rico ten years ago and immediately felt at home when arriving to Humboldt Park. “I have lived in Humboldt Park all ten years and have never had a bad experience” she finished saying in response to my question about crime in the community. This is not surprising to hear because even though Humboldt Park was dangerous and most of the time the center of gang violence, homicides, robberies and assaults during the 1970’s, it has undergone a dramatic transformation since then.

It was during the 1990s that gentrification began and policing methods change. Based in the Chicago’s Tribute Crime in Chicago portal, crime rate in Humboldt Park has incrementally decreased over the years. Based in the information provided by the portal violent crime was up at 1,393 incidents in 2001 and property crime at 2,863 incidents. In 2013 violent crime is at its lowest at 1,770 incidents and property crime at 693 incidents.

Even though Humboldt Park is known for its Puerto Rican culture, it has not always been like this. Humboldt Park has had its share of ethnic groups that include African American, Polish and German. Gentrification along with inviting wealthier residents from other ethnic backgrounds to move to Humboldt Park, it has brought innovating policing methods to help decrease and prevent crime! Humboldt Park’s new residents are involved with the community and have raised many of their safety concerns which has created an increased in safety awareness. In my visit I found plenty of surveillance cameras placed in the areas with higher crime to discourage crime. I also found new bike lanes place in the street to encourage biking and to protect bikers. I like the bright street lights that where improved with the intention to illuminate the sidewalk and street that will prevent crimes from occurring.

Humboldt Park has definitely undergone an extreme transformation and is no longer the dangerous community it used to be. Of course the media will continue to sensationalize its stories to capture more audience. Unfortunately they negatively portray such a beautiful and culture oriented community! I feel like I have been lied to my entire life, I have been missing out on such friendly community simply because I listened to the media and opted to stay away from Humboldt Park. I encourage everybody to visit Humboldt Park at least once in your life! “I guarantee you that you will fall in love with this community and you will want to visit over and over again!” stated a member of the community.