The diversity of Oakland's core area is discussed, and the economic decline of the area, coupled with the flight of numerous residents to the suburbs, is traced. Other major changes that altered the face of the area, including the evolution of halfway houses and the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, are described. Actions taken by the police department to relieve residents' fear of crime included arresting those committing such 'soft crimes' as harassment, panhandling, and chronic loitering; and undertaking a patrol strategy that uses uniformed and plainclothes foot patrol, mounted patrol, Cushman vehicle patrol, Yamaha motorcycle patrol, and car patrol. Private sector enhancement of patrol resources and managerial concerns with the enhancement program are described. Other forms of private sector involvement in preventing crime and enforcing the law in the downtown area are characterized, as are ways of obtaining citizen complaints to press misdemeanor cases. Finally, the use of special units and special duty is considered. The author reports substantial drops in the rate of crimes against persons and their property and considers the contribution of police visibility to the decline in crime rates. Five tables, a chart, and appendixes are included.