THE AREAS COVERED INCLUDE THE EMERGENCE OF CRIME AS A NATIONAL ISSUE, PRESIDENT JOHNSON'S CREATION OF THE NATIONAL CRIME COMMISSION, AND THE FEDERAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM LEADING TO THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE, LATER TO BECOME THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION. ALSO DISCUSSED IS THE GROWTH IN DEMANDS FOR MASSIVE FEDERAL SPENDING CONNECTED WITH THE SAFE STREETS AND CRIME CONTROL ACT. (THIS ARTICLE GREW OUT OF THE AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE FIRST AS A STAFF ATTORNEY FOR THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LATER AS GENERAL COUNSEL TO LEAA.)