Barry Goetz clearly demonstrates how public safety agencies function as welfare state agencies, responsible for a range of essential public functions including emergency service, regulatory oversight and social service outreach. Amid cut-backs in other areas of the welfare state, public safety agencies are now asked to absorb even more social welfare functions. As Goetz cogently argues regarding arson control and community policing, public safety agencies not only protect our well-being, but also shape social problems and community inequities. This book has major implications for understanding institutional biases within society and the ways organizational structures, procedures and cultures impact social outcomes. It not only offers brilliant insights for scholars and theory building, but a solid context for progressive social policy. I highly recommend it.

Henry N. Pontell, Distinguished Professor, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY; Emeritus Professor, University of California, Irvine.

Goetz has crafted a book that is both unique and timely. Through detailed analysis of what might seem to be two very different types of problems - fire and drugs - readers will be rewarded with rich insights into governmental responses to each. This book will be a welcome addition to the library of anyone with an interest in community safety and its relationship to issues of social inequality.

Laura Huey, Associate Professor of Sociology, Western University, Canada