Argues that the problems of underclass neighborhoods are essentially crime problems, not connected with neoconservative theories about the "culture of poverty" or liberal theories about social and economic change. Cites examples of communities that have developed successful anti-crime programs. (FMW)

A series of brief essays examines inner-city crime and the growing crime gap between blacks and whites. The articles discuss ways to close the gap through four approaches: (1) securing inner-city neighborhoods; (2) increasing the police presence on inner-city streets; (3) incarcerating violent and repeat criminals; and (4) removing severely…