FREE ESSAY ON ORGANIZED CRIME

ORGANIZED CRIME

Organized Crime
When most people think of the Mafia they think, murderers and gamblers. But in fact the
Mafia is more than just a bunch of "wise guys" sitting around gambling. For years
organized crime families have provided for many and brought wealth to their communities.
In the early years of America, organized crime helped pave a way for many of the American
cities to grow to what they are today. Most of the "families" provide for more than one
hundred people per community. 
Organized crime has become a world of phenomenon. In Europe, Asia, Africa, and America,
the forces of organized crime are at work and no society is spared. From it's traditional
spheres of activity such as prostitution, the arms trade and trafficking in drugs,
organized crime has now added money-laundering, the trade in nuclear technology, and even
the transporting of illegal immigrants. Trans-national crime undermines the very
foundations of the international democratic order. Trans-national crime effects the
business climate, and persuades political leaders. Within societies, the triumphs of
international crime is, more often than not, accompanied by a weakening of the law and
sometimes even by a return to the law of the jungle. No one knows why crime occurs. The
oldest theory is based on ethics and theology. It is that criminals are perverse persons
who deliberately commit crimes or who do so at the instigation of the devil or other evil
spirits. Criminologist pointed out that persons who are unable to provide adequately for
themselves and their families through normal legal channels are frequently driven to
theft, burglary, prostitution, and other offenses. Such conditions lead to feelings of
deprivation and hopelessness and then turn to crime for means of escape. The feeling is
encouraged by the example set by those who have escaped to what appears to be the better
way of life made possible by crime. Studies by such investigators as the American
criminologist, Bernard Glueck and the British psychiatrist William Healy have indicated
that "about one-fourth of a typical convict population is psychotic, neurotic, or
emotionally unstable, and another one-fourth is mentally deficient." (84). 
Although many criminals are mentally defected organized crime leaders are somewhat
ingenious. In a world where the law stands strong these organized criminals have found
ways to make millions. Many of these men consider themselves business men. Says one
former crime family member, Sonny Reles, "...me and my partners are in shylocking, the
restaurant business, garment industry, crap games, slot machines, bookmaking..." (69). In
early years in New York racketeering was a big business. Organized crime officials had
set up a type of underworld lottery. Many of the most respected people in the community
played the "numbers". The rackets became the first major business that organized crime
gained total control over. Later organized crime stretched their involvement from the
rackets to gambling, sports, and just about every small business you could think of. They
seemed to find money in every thing they touched. Prostitution also became a widely
spread business in America. Most organized crime families were tied into more than
business at a time. States Burton Turkus, "...in 1945, New York City Investigations
Commissioner Edgar Bromberger found that Erickson (New York Organized crime leader of the
30's and 40's) had made bank deposits of over $30,000,000 over a twelve year period..."
(91). More recently organized crime has found it's way into bigger commercial businesses.
Sports and entertainment have proved to be some of the biggest money maker for organized
criminals. Many sport teams have an influence from the mafia. Throughout the past history
of professional sports thousands of scandals have been revealed. Behind the majority of
these scandals are ties to organized crime. Entertainment is now one of the biggest
markets involving organized crime. From music stars to movie stars, organized crime has
it's effect on them too. Organized crime has also produced the Union, which is a group of
employees with protected rights. 
One of the biggest events that changed America and organize crime forever was
prohibition. Prohibition was the worst years according to some alcoholics. January 16,
1920 was the day all Americans had to give up drinking alcohol, well at least legally.
They had to do this for thirteen whole years. Of course millions of gallons would be
consumed illegally though. Will Rogers, the leading humorist of the era, was quoted,
"prohibition is better than no liquor at all." People were so desperate that they would
brew it in their own sinks and bathtubs. This desperation is what made organized crime
leaders rich. They had the power, money, will, and know-how to turn prohibition into a
business. One would have workers brew the liquor in empty barns and warehouses then
bottle them up for distribution. Smart organized crime leaders got into the bottling
business too. Since most could not produce the "booze" at a mass quantity the few who
could, had a tight grip on the bootlegging business. This also allowed them to over
charge consumers for their product. For thirteen years organized criminals made millions.
Humpert Nelli writes, "Torrio-Capone Organization (bootleggers) of Chicago during late
1920's and early 30's showed an annual gross from beer of at least $60 million and
perhaps as much as $240 million..." (150). In 1933 the government finally stopped
prohibition ending all bootlegging operations.
Organized crime did more than make illegal business a fortune but also helped the growth
of several American cities. When the first Italian immigrants landed in America there
were signs of organized crime. New York is the most populated state and where many of the
Italian immigrants lived. Organized crime ran underground rackets in New York that made
millions. But as America expanded so did organized crime. First moving to west organized
crime made a big impact on several midwest cities, such as; Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas
City, and Omaha. Chicago was most noted for housing one of the most notorious gangsters
of all time, Al Capone. During prohibition Capone and his affiliates made Chicago into a
money maker. In Chicago organized crime families bootlegged liquor and sold it during
these rough times. As more money rolled into Chicago so did the people. Thus making
Chicago the large city it is today. Chicago's success also spawned success on other
cities nearby. Kansas City has a considerable amount of organized crime involvement due
to Chicago. Many Chicago bosses ran other businesses that were in Kansas City. In Kansas
City, organized crime leaders took their involvement into restaurants, grocery stores and
other small businesses. Soon cities like St. Louis and Omaha became important midwest
cities. Possibly one of organized crimes greatest creations is Las Vegas, Nevada. The
city has deep roots with an organized crime foundation. Las Vegas has every element to
make it the criminal paradise. In early developing years of Las Vegas mafia owned and
operated the first of the casinos. Billions of dollars were made by these men. First
casinos profits went straight to the top, until government interaction. Las Vegas is now
a family attraction that makes a fortune off tourist. All of this can be credited to
organized crime. 
The roots of America can be traced all the way to the first pilgrim taking his place on
Plymouth Rock. But maybe none of these roots are as colorful, powerful, or meaningful
than the organized crime root. Organized crime has laid a foundation for our country.
From the early rackets to the present day Las Vegas to what ever the future holds for
organized crime.