Attributes of Organized Crime
CJ380- Organized Crime
July 23, 2020
Attributes of Organized Crime
Introduction
Organized crimes are “criminal activities that are planned and controlled by powerful groups and carried out on a large scale.” According to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, organized crime is depicted as the illegal activities of a group of individuals affiliated with a disciplined, organized sect engaged in distributing prohibited services or good. However, these prohibited products/services are not limited to prostitution, narcotics, gambling, or loansharking. To identify a gang, it is relatively important to understand the following eight attributes that define organized crime characteristics.
Absence of political goals
As much as organized crime is known to take advantage of the political, financial, and legal sectors to sustain their operations, there are no political goals. According to Lupsha’s Three Stages of Criminal-State Relations, organized crimes can either be predatory (criminals expand at the cost of the state), parasitic (criminals use state resources to expand), or symbiotic (criminals work in concert with the state) (Dudley, 2016). Regardless of their influence on politics, they never have the best interests of the citizens at heart.
Hierarchical
Organized crime comprises groups that take up a pyramid power structure, such as those found in a legal business. Normally, a legal organization has a boss such as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to oversee a legitimate business. Below the CEO is his/her subordinates, which include vice presidents, advisors, accountants, technical staff, and lawyers, among other staff. The same structure is present within organized crime as there is a boss as well. Next to him/her are advisors who help him manage the group and give tasks to other members (Dudley, 2016). Simultaneously, there is a team leader to every crew and soldiers who are known to do the groundwork, such as debt collecting and killing defaulters.
Has a limited or exclusive membership
Loyalty is prime to organized crime, and those who participate are either exclusive or limited members. Sometimes, organized crime uses other people briefly to get their work done. Examples may include delivery workers or drivers. Limited members are also expected to exhibit loyalty to the organization and abide by the rules and regulations (Ianni, 1994).
Constitutes a unique subculture
Organized crime exhibits a criminal subculture of distributing illegal substances and corruption. Such organizations thrive from these two aspects as they are mostly known to present themselves as a legitimate business offering protection to other businesses (Ianni, 1994). Second, they are mostly involved in distributing products/services that are not accessible within the constraints of the law. However, not all organized crime organizations are involved in both. Some specialize in protection, while others prefer the distribution aspect.
Perpetuates itself
As one of the most essential attributes organized crime has come to be identified as continuous as there is always a strategy in place for those who should take up the hierarchy in the absence of a leader (Ianni, 1994). Besides that, there should be business people and public officials who act as protectors ensuring that the gang is protected at all costs. Organized crime is highly insulated from criminal and civil action from the government.
Exhibits a willingness to use violence
Threats, bodily harm, and intimidation are pivotal points for organized crime to gain and maintain power. They use fear to make members and external people submit to their requests (Dudley, 2016). Examples include using threats such as death for members who betray the group and jury tampering during a court case. Payoffs to law enforcement officers is another tactic they use to ensure municipal police forces tolerate their activities.
Monopolistic
There are two goals on which organized crime thrives on: gaining more market share in a specific business(es), or territorial gain to increase the tax paid by other businesses. Organized crime tends to crave a monopolistic drive to expand its influence on customers and patrons (Dudley, 2016). Whether organized crime is taking place hierarchically or horizontally, they will most likely prefer to have no other competition for their market or territory.
Governed by rules and regulations
There is the presence of defined roles and rules from the first day the group is implemented. Members are expected to know and adhere to the set standards as they inform them how to behave (Dudley, 2016). Every member receives a specific and regular means of income. Most of all, organized crime is known to abide by a code of secrecy whereby a predefined communication manner is set.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it becomes easy to identify organized crime using the following attributes. These most prominent characteristics could give one an in-depth understanding of organized crime to evaluate each attribute extensively. Furthermore, one has to satisfy all these attributes to present solid evidence of an organized crime confidently. Since such organizations are complex, identifying all these attributes will aid the one doing the research and those trying to grasp the weight of the matter.
References
Dudley, S. (2016). Elites and Organized Crime: Conceptual Framework – Organized Crime. Retrieved from https://www.insightcrime.org/investigations/elites-and-organized-crime-conceptual-framework-organized-crime/
Ianni, F. A. (1994). Handbook of organized crime in the United States. Greenwood Publishing Group.
