FEAR OF CRIME CURRENTLY RANKS AS A MAJOR CONCERN OF AMERICANS, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE ELDERLY. A 1976 SURVEY FOUND THAT 50 PERCENT OF THE ELDERLY WERE AFRAID TO WALK IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, CONTRASTED WITH 40 PERCENT FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION. A VARIETY OF EXPLANATIONS HAVE BEEN ADVANCED FOR THIS FEAR AMONG THE ELDERLY INCLUDING PHYSICAL DECLINES THAT ACCOMPANY THE AGING PROCESS, CULTURAL ATTITUDES AND PERSONAL FEELINGS OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL OR SITUATIONAL FACTORS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAITS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHANGING ROLES, EMOTIONS, AND PERSONALITY NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY. RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT OLDER WOMEN, BLACKS, INNER-CITY RESIDENTS, THOSE LIVING IN MIXED-AGE PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS IN HIGH CRIME AREAS, THE UNMARRIED OR THOSE LIVING ALONE, AND PREVIOUS VICTIMS OF CRIME ARE ESPECIALLY LIKELY TO HAVE AN INTENSE FEAR OF CRIME. THE ELDERLY OFTEN RETREAT INTO ISOLATION TO AVOID CRIME, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR POLICE TO GET THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO CATCH CRIMINALS. EFFORTS TO REDUCE THIS FEAR AMONG THE ELDERLY HAVE INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CITIZEN PATROLS BY THE ELDERLY, POLICE PROGRAMS TO TEACH THE ELDERLY CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES, COMUNITY PROJECTS TO HELP THE ELDERLY, AND VICTIM-ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR ELDERLY VICTIMS OF CRIME. RECENT EVIDENCE IN NEW YORK CITY SUGGESTS THAT THESE EFFORTS MAY BE PARTIALLY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING CRIME. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)