This chapter addresses class and ethnic conflicts, along with the circumstances surrounding gangs and hostage situations because most fall to local police to resolve.

They in turn raise the issue of the impact of stress on conflict management. Finally, it addresses situations in which the wisdom of the community at large is likely to provide better solutions than individuals do. The chapter does not address squabbles between neighbors, best viewed as interpersonal conflicts (Chapter 7), conflicts best resolved by government (Chapter 11), or conflicts resolved by war (Chapters 12-15).