The discussion uses data from surveys conducted between 1977 and 1983 in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Newark, N.J., Philadelphia, and San Francisco to explore the links among disorder, fear, and crime, noting that many aspects of disorder cannot be effectively policed because they are not covered by criminal laws. Nevertheless, a close connection exists between residents' perceptions of disorder and the spiral of community decline. In addition, acceptance of rising levels of disorder undermines the social ties on which neighborhood stability depends. As a result, criminals start to exploit the declining social control, and the level of safety and order continue to decline. The discussion concludes that reversing the trend is possible and suggests ways in which urban authorities and community residents work together to confront disorder effectively. Case examples, tables, figures, notes, methodological appendix, index, and 245 references