Assignment Five : Causes Of Combating Organized Crime

Organized crime has been present in the history of the United States and can be traced back to the streets of the early 1800’s. Organized crime occurs when a group of people congregate together and plan to commit a series of crimes to make money, usually illegally. Organized crime groups have evolved over time from small rackets to grand organizations like the Italian Mafia. Crime particularly began to become prominent in urban areas during the prohibition. Organized crime is still just as visible today as it was back in the early 1800’s.

Organized crime is defined as “a continuing, profit-motivated, criminal enterprise that employs the use of fear, violence, intimidation, and public corruption to meet organizational goals and remain immune from law enforcement” according to Michael Lyman and Gary W. Potter (authors of “Organized Crime” 2004). The clichéd life of a Mafia member was as such: they usually owned a restaurant, were very wealthy, and normally over weight. Most spoke with a strong Italian accent, had multiple women counterparts, and ties on the “inside” with the police force. While some of those may have been true most were quite the opposite. In the beginning the life of the Mafia, made illustrious by the film industry, was one of hardship and pain. Many were just trying to survive and provide for their families much less trying to make some sort

3. Characterize the initiation ritual. How do you think it compares to the “real” ritual – if such a ritual exists?

The only way to take down organized crime will be if the government is aware of the roots of why the syndicates form, because what would a country be without being aware of all of its citizens? Though the American Dream may be something that doesn’t reverberate with today’s generations, it should be kept in every American’s hearts. “The future will be determined by the young”, said Eleanor Roosevelt, “and there is no more essential task today, it seems, to me, than to bring before them once more, in all its brightness, in all its splendor and beauty, the American

This is mainly because of the services the organizations provide, the fear they cause, the indistinct information available about them, and their national level of organization. In order to gain influence in a community, criminal organizations will provide services that the people within that community might want, for a cost: immunity from any actions taken against organized crime. In return for helping fund a politician, help a police officer with the bills, or even help the average citizen or businessperson overcome a problem. The only requirement is that in exchange for that service, the person must be willing to ignore the organization’s illegal actions (Ruth 114). Organized crime also utilizes fear to control the community by selectively fulfilling threats to give the appearance of the ability to fulfill any threats that the organization makes. The organization’s use the appearance of absolute power to cause continued loyalty, adherence to extortion schemes and other activities, and to discourage witnesses, while the selective nature of fulfilling threats keeps law enforcement and the general public from taking notice of the organization. Organized crime also remains hidden from the public eye because the public and the government only focus on one aspect of organized crimes revenues, which allows the organizations to profit from a broad range of criminal activities even while the government or public attempt to stop the revenues from one source, making it very difficult for the government to stop organized crime from being a profitable business (Ruth 115). The criminal organizations have also followed in the footsteps of industrial corporations and have grown to encompass territory throughout the country. The

Organized crime can be narrowed down to five unique areas of criminal activity. The first being racketeering, an umbrella term, meant to describe when any group or groups conduct one or more of the other criminal activities. One of the most successful ways the federal government has been able to hinder the actions of hardcore criminals is through the formation of the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations). The second area of major criminal activity is vice, or vice operations. This has to do with victim-less crimes such as drugs, gambling, and prostitution. Again, these crimes are highly problematic because it is the public that decides whether or not they prosper. It’s all too easy to build a case against someone breaking a law by importing huge quantities of controlled substances across a border, but it becomes much more difficult to stem the sale or need for such drugs once they have reached their intended destinations.

Lyman and Potter (2007) stated, "The legitimate market's failure to serve sizable consumer populations is responsible for the existence of most vice operations. As a consequence, organized crime capitalizes on market voids and profits from services to these consumers.” Organized crime preys on the moral issues and laws preventing citizens from enjoying that which they desire to have. Therefore, there is a marketable opportunity for businesses, such as prostitution, drugs, and gambling. These illegal businesses may be taking place next door, or in back of, a legitimate business so they appear to be legitimate also. Many times law enforcement officers may know they are there but look the other way. The boss has developed a relationship with someone in government that will order protection and cover for these illegal businesses.

Since the 1990’s, organized crime has become a problem among U.S. citizens. The Mafia was the earliest group to show its strengths of power and manipulation among citizens and business of New York City. From the time of the Mafia’s rise, other criminal organizations have surfaced using their power to corrupt personal within business for the gain of finance and political strength. In today society, one of the main question when it comes to these groups is how can criminal organizations be controlled? This paper will identify the problems presented and the various relationships established by organized crime. It will describe the legal limitations associated with combating

Organized out wrongdoing is conferred by organized gatherings commonly including the conveyance and offer of illegal products and administrations. Numerous individuals think about the Mafia when they consider sorted out wrongdoing, yet the term can allude to any gathering that activities control over substantial unlawful undertakings

Organized crime has been around since the 1880’s. It was not until the 1920’s that organized crime began to develop into a bigger problem. Following the victory of Allied Forces during World War I, more and more immigrants began to immigrate into the United States. Some of these immigrants would become the leaders of crime organizations. The “Noble Experiment” would also help organized crime to gain momentum. Criminals were able to provide the people with something they wanted, and with alcohol being illegal, they were able to make smuggling into a big business. The rise of organized crime began, due to the recent waves of immigrants from Europe, and also that the United States tried to limit the consumption of alcohol.

Organized crime is often committed by highly controlled criminal groups that participate in illegal activities for financial benefits. Indeed, organized crimes terrorize multiple facets of the American nation, which include the US’ economy as well as national security. The FBI assigns the costs of organized crime globally at one trillion dollars per year.

The organized crime groups that I am most familiar with include terrorist groups, gangs, and mafias. As a result of living in a city in Florida, I have heard more about gangs compared to when I used to live in a rural town in Vermont. I’ve always heard about gang violence and the crime they commit, such as theft and murder (“Tampa Bay gangs,” n.d.). I also know that gangs can be represented by different colors, markings, and often members will have tattoos of the gang logo (“Tampa Bay gangs,” n.d.). Al Qaeda and ISIS are the two terrorist groups I have heard the most about because of how often the groups are committed crimes that are making national headlines. From the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the recent attach on Paris, terrorist groups are constantly committing crime and violence against society (Mallory, 2012). Lastly, I am not too familiar with the names of various mafias, I have only heard about the different types of crime they commit.

Preventing people from partaking in such activity. Protecting, by increasing the protection against organised and serious crimes and preparing to reduce the impact of this criminal activity when and where it takes place. Organised crime occurring in the UK or overseas undermines the good governance and stability of other counties strategic significance to the national security. Like any other threats to the national security, organised and serious crimes need a response through the whole of the government, and the collaboration and contribution with the private sector, the public and many other countries (Home Office, 2013). The challenges that organised crimes have, according to the Home Office 2012, there are 5,500 organised crime groups in the UK and approximately 37,000 criminals. There are political will which is lacking for the sake of short term stability, such as surrendering sovereignty to foreigners admitting a problem. There is an increase of ‘technical crime’ modifies the law enforcement skills sets and sourcing of the expertise. Also, around half of the organised crime groups in the U.S are highly involved in drug related crime (Home Office, 2013), and furthermore, to look at organised crime as a business rather than a criminal offence. Organised crime differs to other criminal activities, because usually what tends to be a “normal” criminal activities happen for their own motivational goals (working on their own) and organised crime is treated as a business. However, any form of crime committed, no matter how big or small, it is still a

The economic impact of organized crime is staggering. “… a look at the economic impact alone gives a glimpse of the importance of this issue. The

Organized crime has always been occupied with a negative label. Perhaps this is due to the constantly changing environment in America as well as the social state of its homeland, Europe. Our society is convinced that the so-called Mafia is a family of pure criminals, pimps, and murderers. Whatever the opinion, there is no doubt that the Mafia played a big part in the history of America and the way Americans view crime today. "The origins of the secret society known as the Mafia are believed to be as old as the 9th century" (Mafia History). During the 9th century, the Mafia's main purpose was to strengthen themselves against enemies, which invaded their homeland in Sicily. It was supposed to create a strong feeling of