Since the break-up of the Eastern bloc countries, Europe has been faced with a growing influx of economically disadvantaged minorities. In Germany, this influx has led to violent confrontations of native Germans and foreigners. Experiences in the United States suggest that community policing is more effective than traditional policing in responding to crimes and conflicts committed by or directed against minorities. Community policing can strengthen ties between the police and the community, increase the population's satisfaction with police action, enhance the quality of community life, and decrease popular fear of crime. Although community policing has often been criticized because it excluded minorities, the examples of New York and San Francisco show that minorities can successfully participate in the policing effort. Community policing will be especially beneficial if implemented with careful planning and if integrated in a comprehensive collaboration between government agencies and the population. 46 references