The author notes that Americans fear violent crimes by strangers more than any other crime type. Separate discussions address the nature and prevalence of murder and rape, two of the most feared street crimes. Brief note is made of the fact that the most prevalent threat to citizens, however, comes from those we know, including family members, since domestic abuse, incest, child abuse, and familial homicide are apparently the most frequent violent and abusive crimes. Following an overview of the prevalence of various offenses and crime in general, the author discusses the politics of crime statistics, as he considers the mechanics and reliability of the Uniform Crime Report, which contains police crime statistics, and the National Crime Victimization survey, which presents citizens' recollections of their criminal victimizations. A discussion of crime causes focuses on racism, which produces an excluded and oppressed minority that suffers from low self-esteem and fierce inner tensions that seek outlets. Biological and psychiatric factors are also noted to be important in any consideration of causal factors. Overall, the chapter concludes that street crime is a serious problem in America that resists simple solutions.