Perception of Organized Crime
Personal Perception of Organized Crime
Organized crime may be defined by the actions of groups involved in illegal activity. The movies and television may support their own definition of organized crime. The entertainment industry has a way of glamorizing organized crime. Organized Crime may have many characteristics that can be associated with criminal behavior. Crime is simple to define as a violation of laws or ordinances. The trick is to define organization as it refers to criminal activity. Organized crime is defined as groups of individuals working together to commit crimes. The crimes are in support of financial gain or the boost of personal power. The individuals are structured within the group much like the local police force. The criminal organization may contain many levels of hierarchy. The movies and the television have glamorized organized crime for many years. The “Godfather” was a movie that allowed everyone a glimpse of life within Italian mafia families. The “Sopranos” was a television series that allowed many people to see the mob boss as a type of hero. Organized criminal groups are often operated much like the top Fortune 500 companies. The criminal organizations may use many of the same methods employed by successful businesses. Organized crime is defined differently from the state and federal level and from each individual state. The local jurisdictions may consider organized crimes in different ways. A simple investigation can quickly turn to a complex investigation that involves organized criminal activity. The suspect can transform from a single individual to a group of individuals during an investigation. The mafia was labeled as organized crime and the term organized crime became popular during prohibition. The organized crime groups worked together and in competition with each other to make profit from making and selling illegal alcohol. The corruption of public officials assisted the organized crime groups with
Organized crime may be defined by the actions of groups involved in illegal activity. The movies and television may support their own definition of organized crime. The entertainment industry has a way of glamorizing organized crime. Organized Crime may have many characteristics that can be associated with criminal behavior. Crime is simple to define as a violation of laws or ordinances. The trick is to define organization as it refers to criminal activity. Organized crime is defined as groups of individuals working together to commit crimes. The crimes are in support of financial gain or the boost of personal power. The individuals are structured within the group much like the local police force. The criminal organization may contain many levels of hierarchy. The movies and the television have glamorized organized crime for many years. The “Godfather” was a movie that allowed everyone a glimpse of life within Italian mafia families. The “Sopranos” was a television series that allowed many people to see the mob boss as a type of hero. Organized criminal groups are often operated much like the top Fortune 500 companies. The criminal organizations may use many of the same methods employed by successful businesses. Organized crime is defined differently from the state and federal level and from each individual state. The local jurisdictions may consider organized crimes in different ways. A simple investigation can quickly turn to a complex investigation that involves organized criminal activity. The suspect can transform from a single individual to a group of individuals during an investigation. The mafia was labeled as organized crime and the term organized crime became popular during prohibition. The organized crime groups worked together and in competition with each other to make profit from making and selling illegal alcohol. The corruption of public officials assisted the organized crime groups with
References: Mallory, S. L. (2007). Understanding organized crime. Sudbury MA: Jones and Bartlett.