In the 1960's the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence and the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders concluded that the racial disadvantage that produces disproportionately high rates of violent crimes is mainly a social and economic disadvantage and not a result of biological forces. Thus, the traditional approaches of deterrence, rehabilitation, and incapacitation will be ineffective in reducing violent crime and will require huge costs. In contrast, neighborhood development, education, and employment are the appropriate approaches to use. Three exemplary community-based programs based on these approaches are the Argus Community in the South Bronx of New York City, Centro Isolina Ferre in Puerto Rico, and the House of Umoja in West Philadelphia. These programs provide the occupational, cognitive, and emotional skills required to make the transition from nonsecure employment sectors of the labor market to secondary and then to primary employment sectors. 57 references.