Before presenting the five case studies, the book compares their findings with data from other middle-sized cities. It identifies the following major links between crime and politics: crime is an election issue; crime presents a policy dilemma for politicians because it is related to factors beyond their control; the police are viewed as a resource in power struggles; and municipal corruption is sometimes viewed as part of the crime problem. The next paper traces the growth of Newark's acute street crime and the city government's fragmented responses to the problem, which have failed to improve police services or address the underlying causes of crime. The history of Philadelphia's reform and counter-reform governments between 1948 and 1978 is a classic example of politicized police operations, culminating in the election of Frank Rizzo, a former police commissioner, as mayor in 1972 and his overwhelming defeat in 1978. In contrast to Philadelphia's problems of crime and political corruption, Minneapolis has earned a reputation as one of the most livable cities in the country. This study emphasizes that while crime has never been a major political issue, the city's police department has become increasingly politicized and suffers from severe morale problems. It also lags behind other urban police departments in its professionalization and recruitment of minorities. Phoenix's emphasis on crime control as critical to the city's economic development has resulted in rising expenditures for police programs and consequent dependence on Federal monies to avoid raising taxes. The final paper focuses on San Jose, where crime recently became a major political issue, reflecting the fragmentation of politics as the city has grown tremendously since World War II. San Jose has also relied on State and Federal monies to expand its police department, but has encountered growing problems with minorities and the police union. Each paper includes references. (For separate papers, see NCJ 89404-09.)