Since statistics may be interpreted either to support or negate a relationship between unemployment and crime, the experience and first-hand knowledge of those who regularly contact offenders is valuable as input for drawing conclusions. The experience of the witness as a police officer indicates that high unemployment affects the crime rate and the ability of law enforcement agencies to deal with crime. The increased leisure time, anxiety, and frustration produced by unemployment fosters increased friction in social contacts, which often leads to more demands for police service. Further, the emotional tension generated by low income and uncertain economic and vocational futures yields social unrest. A potential result is an increase in demonstrations to register united dissatisfaction with economic circumstances, demonstrations which involve an increased use of police resources in this area. White collar crime as well as street crime is affected by high unemployment. Unemployed white collar workers often use their business experience to gain income from criminal acts such as insurance fraud, receiving of stolen property, get-rich-quick business schemes, arson, and con artist schemes. If society is to reduce the influence of factors that stimulate criminal behavior, each person should have the opportunity to become involved in work that is meaningful, contributes to the development of job skills, and builds self-worth and confidence. An addendum provides graphic data on the relation between crime and unemployment in Racine, Wis., from 1977 to 1980.