Introduction

Most everyone in the United States has some general impression as to what organized crime is, and most of us received that impression from the media. Organized Crime has been widely portrayed in Television shows like “The Sopranos” and movies such as “The Godfather” series.

Thousands of law enforcement officers, district attorneys, and ordinary citizens have had more up close and personal experience with organized crime groups ranging from juvenile street gangs to The Mafia. It is from their experience, and the experiences of organized crime members themselves, that reveals the true picture of organized crime.

Organized Crime Defined

There are several different solid definitions of organized crime. A simplistic definition would be that organized crime is any crime perpetuated by a group that has a structure. You could go further to say that this group must exist for the sole purpose of a criminal enterprise.

Abadinsky (2004) defines organized crime as having eight characteristics, “is non ideological, is hierarchical, has limited or exclusive membership, perpetuates itself, exhibits a willingness to use illegal violence and bribery, demonstrates specialization/division or labor, is monopolistic, and is governed by explicit rules and regulations.”.

The Foundation of Organized Crime

Modern organized crime began in the 1920s during the prohibition era. The concept of organized crime, however probably goes back to the dawn of man.

Before the 1920’s there were several entrepreneurs in the United States who were the very reason the U.S. Government adopted monopoly laws. These individuals were called “The Robber Barons” and included many famous American entrepreneurs such as Astor, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Drew, Gould, Sage, Rockefeller, Stanford and Morgan.
Prohibition was the starting point for modern organized crime. Figures such as Al Capone stepped in as soon as alcohol was deemed illegal by the U.S. Government.

Abadinsky (2004) describes the climate immediately after prohibition took place, “Ten days after the Eighteenth Amendment went into effect, three Prohibition agents where indicted in Chicago for bribery and selling seized liquor to bootleggers, And it got worse.” Prohibition turned out to be a boom for criminal enterprises and a nightmare for law enforcement.

After prohibition, crime was rampant. Organized criminal groups were fighting to try to gain control of territory for the lucrative trade of illegal alcohol, and would bribe government officials and kill rivals to come out on top.

Organized Crime Gains a Foothold

It didn’t take long after Prohibition began for the groups of criminals to become better organized. According to Abadinsky (2004), “Prohibition encouraged cooperation between gang leaders from various regions.” This became known as syndication.

Soon an organized and complex network of smuggling and distribution was in place. Spirits were smuggled in from Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe and also manufactured illegally in the United States. It could be said that this massive criminal network was better organized than the government itself at the time.

Organized Crime and Government Corruption

Some parts of the government, in fact took part in the illegal activities of organized crime. Payoffs, kickbacks, and “looking the other way”, were common activities of government officials in the age of prohibition. Chicago was a prime example. A large percentage of the police force was not only on the city payroll, but, also the payroll of mobsters.

Organized Crime in the Post-Prohibition Era

Criminal organizations reorganized after prohibition to continue their illegal activities. Abadinsky (2004) discusses the preparations, “Just prior to the end of Prohibition, gang leaders began meeting throughout the United States in anticipation of a new era.”

The end of prohibition didn’t end organized crime, organized crime just evolved to other industries such as prostitution, gambling, and illegal narcotics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Modern organized crime gained structure and evolved during prohibition. After prohibition ended, organized crime again evolved. Organized crime is here to stay and is a force to be reckoned with.

References
Abadinsky, Howard. (2004). Organized Crime. Belmont, California: Thomson Wadsworth.

APA Citation:
Smith, Nathan. M. (2006). The Foundation of Organized Crime.
Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.computer-forensic-technician.com/wordpress/the-foundation-of-organized-crime/.