Role Of Organized Crime In Chicago

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Organized Crime in Chicago Chicago, Illinois is a booming city equipped with new technologies and new ways to make life easier. Chicago is a massive tourist area with museums, aquariums, parks, iconic baseball fields, theaters, and the famous Symphony Center. Each of these attractions and many more draw people to the streets of Chicago. While it is easy to see why many would consider it a top traveling choice, it is also easy to see why many people turn the traveling choices elsewhere. Chicago is home to some of the most notorious crime in America: organized crime. Although organized crime is found almost everywhere, Chicago has been experiencing the effects of it since the Al Capone era. Before one travels to Chicago, he or she may want to research the safety in the city. The problem of organized crime in Chicago is a result of the background and structure, the corruption, the street gangs, the extortion and trafficking, and the law enforcement’s response. …show more content…
The background and structure of organized crime is important to understand first. Organized crime is when there is a group effort to do some form of illegal activity (Lavorgna, Lombardi, and Sergi 276). This type of crime has been a widespread problem in Chicago since the Al Capone era in the 1920’s (Lindberg 47). During the Capone era, prohibition opened the door for smuggling and trafficking alcohol (Peter Chronology). Organized crime has evolved since then and now covers a multitude of crimes. This crime includes anything from petty theft and robberies to drug and human trafficking (Lavorgna, Lombardi, and Sergi 276). The groups that are responsible for the crime are often called street gangs and have a central leader. Each gang has “made members” which are members of the gang who have gone through a ritual to become a part of the group (Lindberg 49). These members are usually the people who are seen on the streets protecting the bigger bosses. In Chicago alone, there are about 68,000 gang members across 58 gangs (Lavorgna, Lombardi, and Sergi 277). Another part of a gang is the “associates,” or the people who are not directly in the gang but allow the gang to exist (Lindberg 49). These people include business owners, police officers, and others who can trade silence for safety. This is more common in rougher areas of town but is seen in wealthier neighborhoods as well. The residents in the community will often keep quiet to protect their family. Lindberg speaks about this when she says, “A society that tolerates organized crime will breed organized crime” (49). As long as the residents allow the crime to happen, it will never get better. The structure of the organization is what helps the group to succeed and thrive. It is also important to note that the organization could not function without corruption. This corruption comes from the public, the law enforcement, and the government. The public are the ones allowing the crime to happen in their neighborhoods and in the streets. Associates would be considered publicly corrupt (Lavorgna, Lombardo, and Sergi 277). The law enforcement allows the criminal activity to occur without stepping in to enforce the law. Lindberg explains that organizations will have protection during illegal activities for a price. She states that they also receive benefits, such as, judges who can fix their trials and special treatment on average issues (traffic stops or minor infractions) (48). The government corruption can be traced all the way back to the Chicago Outfit who practically ran the city during their time. This corruption would be when elected officials are partnering or allowing the crime to happen (Lavorgna, Lombardo, and Sergi 276). The Outfit proved that an organization can exist as long as the officials allow it to. The Outfit was put to an end in 2005 when everyone involved had finally been brought to an end (276). The corruption seen at all three levels is key in the success of an organization. In addition to corruption, street gangs blanket the city and strike fear in the citizens. Of the 2.7 million people who reside in the city, 68,000 are known gang members (Lavorgna, Lombardo, and Sergi 276-277). When someone is referred to as

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