CITIZEN APATHY AND HOSTILITY BETWEEN POLICE AND CITIZENS, PARTICULARLY IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS, ARE VIEWED AS FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO A CLIMATE IN WHICH CRIME THRIVES UNCHECKED. THE COALITION OF CONCERNED WOMEN WAS ESTABLISHED BY CITIZENS IN CHICAGO TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THESE TWO PROBLEMS. THE FIRST UNDERTAKING OF THE COALITION INVOLVED SETTING UP A MEETING WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE. AT THIS MEETING, THE SUPERINTENDENT AGREED TO A SUGGESTION BY COALITION MEMBERS THAT POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDERS BE INSTRUCTED TO MEET PERIODICALLY WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS. IT WAS INTENDED THAT THIS WOULD PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE CITIZENRY. ONE OF THE OUTGROWTHS OF THESE MEETINGS WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BEAT REPRESENTATIVE PROGRAM IN WHICH DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF BLOCK GROUPS WORK WITH POLICE DETAILED TO THEIR AREAS IN REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. ANOTHER PROGRAM INITIATED INVOLVED CITIZEN COOPERATION WITH POSTAL SERVICE UNITS DETAILED TO PATROL HIGH ROBBERY AREAS WHERE THE CHECKS OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND WELFARE RECIPIENTS WERE CONSISTENTLY STOLEN FROM MAILBOXES. UNDER THIS PROGRAM, CITIZEN UNITS PROVIDE LOOKOUTS AT APARTMENT WINDOWS WHO BLOW A WHISTLE WHEN THE LETTER CARRIER IS SEEN MAKING ROUNDS, SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN COME TO THE LOBBY TO RECEIVE THEIR CHECKS DIRECTLY. THE COALITION HAS ALSO TAKEN A STRONG STAND FAVORING THE TOTAL BAN OF ALL HANDGUNS ON A NATIONWIDE SCALE. THE COALITION ARGUES THAT HANDGUNS ARE RARELY USED FOR SPORT, AND THEIR ABOLITION COULD ONLY AID IN THE REDUCTION OF DEATHS THROUGH HOMICIDE AND GUN ACCIDENTS. (RCB)