a neighborhood being 'held hostage' to fear [=a neighborhood controlled or dominated by fear]
The terrorists demanded a plane and a pilot in exchange for the 'hostages'.
The 'hostage' crisis is now entering its second week.
(..) and again yesterday in San Francisco. ln spite of the two attempts, Mr. Ford says... he will not become a prisoner of the Oval Office... a hostage of would-be assassins. The American people are good people. Democrats, lndependents, Republicans and others. (..)1976 Network