Since most crime is a matter of opportunity, the criminal weighing potential risks against gains can be deterred by precautionary measures. Specific countermeasures are suggested for residential burglary and theft, vehicle theft, street crime, rape and sexual assaults against women, physical and sexual abuse of children, consumer fraud, and bunco schemes. Residential security can be enhanced with burglar alarms, watchdogs, locks on doors and windows, and secondary barriers or security closets. Appropriate responses to discovering a burglar in the house are also outlined. The pros and cons of perimeter and interior burglar alarms are considered. There is advice for women on how to deal with rapists and what to do following an assault. Suggestions for consumers alert them to retail and contract swindles, credit and warranty fraud, loan sharking, and fraudulent mail-order, door-to-door, telephone, and repair schemes. Wary citizens can avoid con games -- schemes that exploit the desire to make easy money, respect for authority, or the desire to help others. Victims of violent crime have more positive interactions with the justice system if they are aware of current victim compensation laws and the procedures of civil damage suits. The book urges individual involvement in community crime prevention efforts and suggests activities for block clubs, neighborhood patrols, parent programs, and special projects. Illustrations, an index, and a bibliography with more than 30 entries are supplied.