Statistics show that crime, and particularly violent crime, pervades American life and has changed the ways people live their lives. After reviewing crime statistics and polls on fear of crime, the booklet explores vigilante justice and the nation's failure to control crime despite the allocation of considerable attention and resources. Three perspectives on violent crime are described. The first contends that we have been too lenient toward criminals and that the most promising solution is to step up law enforcement efforts, appoint tougher judges, impose longer sentences, and build more prisons. The second viewpoint argues that we should concentrate on identifying the small number of criminals who are high-rate offenders and impose harsh sentences to keep them off the streets. The third position says that we must examine the roots of the problem and find alternatives to prison that help offenders return to productive lives. Two questionnaires survey readers' opinions before and after they read the booklet. References, photographs, cartoons, graphs.