¶ … organized crime to operate on the local or national level.

Use at least two references.

Organized crime is part of our society, like it or not. Its average income outranks some of the most successful major industries in the U.S. And traditionally, the mob has been untouchable because of strong political ties and the clout that money buys.

[Italian Mafia]

Organized crime has been part of U.S. history since the early 1900s when a group called the Black Hand showed up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. A national syndicate of over 25 crime families was established and throughout the 20s, 0s and 40s, they built a business that included assault, bribery, extortion, narcotics and infiltrating big business and unions.

According to the law, organized crime is illegal. It centers on activities and organizations that will create a profit from illegitimate businesses. So how do we justify drugs, gambling, loan-sharking and pornography just to name a few outlawed activities? These professional criminals operate against the moral grain of society. There is no "gray" area, although they try to blend in and live a "family" life, pretending to be stalwart citizens of the community. In reality they are responsible for the violence that plagues most of our country.

They reply, "nothing personal, just business." They use intimidation and brutality the way that most of use polite conversation. And they live by their own inflicted code of silence, secrecy and a justice system that is self-imposed. They use fronts to make their criminal activities appear to be legitimate businesses. All of their efforts are part of a larger system to create revenue for the "family."

Over the years, organized crime has been allowed to breed and grow because of fear and apathy. Moral individuals were often an army fo one when it came to fighting back. But today, law enforcement officials are using new tactics to overcome organized crime. Technology, witness protection programs and undercover operations have resulted in a higher number of arrests that stick.

The heyday of organized crime is on the wane as a younger generation of gangsters realizes that the law of silence will no longer protect them from the righteous arm of the law.

Information Sources

Organized Crime. http://faculty.ncwc.edu.

What is Organized Crime?. http://organizedcrime.about.com