Study data came from participant observations in a New York City television station from November 1975 to April 1977 and from records of newspaper and television reports of crimes against the elderly from September 1976 through February 1977. The city's three daily newspapers and five local television stations reported a surge of violence against elderly people. The crime wave lasted about 7 weeks, eventually receiving national television and newspaper coverage. However, police statistics show that it is doubtful that a crime wave really occurred. News organizations view and use the themes presented by other news organizations. Official agencies are the sources of reports of incidents. Once crime themes receive heavy coverage in the media, authorities can use their power to make news in an effort to augment, modify, or deny a burgeoning crime wave. The interplay between news organizations and local or national politics plays a crucial role in formulating public issues and events and in directing their subsequent course. Ten references are listed.