Revised Summary/Plan/Update

So, as I began to take surveys this past week, I found some results to be exactly what I had expected and some were somewhat surprising. For example, as a special agent in the FBI in the organized crime division, I expected my father to have full, detailed knowledge concerning my topic. And his results reflected that knowledge quite well. However, I surveyed my 10-year-old sister and she had much more knowledge than I believed she would have. I was impressed and somewhat concerned as why she had all this knowledge and when I asked, all she said was, "I pay attention." So, I guess having connections with someone with knowledge makes you much more likely to share that knowledge. I will begin surveying people outside of my family and our area this week.

Survey

To elaborate on my fourth quarter project, I have started to create a survey on just how much people know about organized crime. The people I will survey will be exactly half men and half women. I will survey one person I am positive has extensive knowledge and I will survey a 10 year old girl. Also, I plan on extending my survey out to people out of the tri-state area because I feel like people around here are more aware of organized crime. This survey will hopefully provide interesting details and unveil some surprising numbers. 

Research Method

The research method I chose was a survey. I chose this because I wanted to investigate what people really knew about organized crime and how they would respond if they witnessed it. For example, Italians are not the only people that can get involved in organized crime. Also, organized crime is not just going out to kill people. Surveys reveal a lot about our culture and the communities within it. It is evident though that people that needed to know more, did. And the people in more suburban areas like Bergen county would lack.

Friends of the Family

The worst betrayal of the badge in the NYPD's history. One of the most spectacular cases of police corruption in the city. The most heinous series of crimes ever tired in a courthouse. So...what is it that I am referring to? It was a dirty cop case, a mafia cop case. A few years ago, two NYPD cops were found guilty of some of the most insane crimes including the involvement in eight murders. Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracappa were cops getting involved in some dirty criminal activity. These two cops made a mockery of the system and left people very unsure of who they could trust. If you want to read more about this case, I would reccomend reading "Friends of the Family" by Tommy Dades and Michael Vecchione. This book is filed with drama and unforgettable stories about the dirties cops to ever walk our streets. 

The Mind of a Mobster

Throughout my blog I have asked the question over and over. Why? Why do people participate in organizations like the mob? Well, in this article Megan Donely tells us why the idea of this group is enticing to outsiders. Basically, when someone is a part of a group, they often times lose their own self awareness. They become attached the the group and no longer think for themselves. The members become less likely to follow normal instincts and lose their sense of self. Groups like the mob have a tendency to draw you in and hold you with excitement, thrill, and danger. Most likely, these men would not commit these crimes alone. However, the feeling of safety and a mutual goal makes these crimes acceptable. This is the social psychology relevant to the violence and the mind of a mobster.

http://source.southuniversity.edu/examining-the-mob-mentality-31395.aspx

Lords of the Mafia

This video discusses the men behind so many infamous crimes, Perhaps one of the most famous New York
dynasties of all time, the Lucchese crime family. The Lucchese crime family was one of the five organized crime units in New York City. They discuss business, order hits, control the cities, and become filthy rich. Lucchese recruited some of the most famous gangsters of all time such as, Charles "Lucky" Luciano. Lucchese quickly became known as a cold blooded killer and earned respect quickly in the streets. These organizations became huge around the Prohibition and contained mostly immigrants. Bootlegging was their main source of illegal income and they worked under Joe "The Boss" Masseria. It was easy money around this time because the alcohol was prohibited but still desired. Lucchese and his friends took over the streets their way without issue.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6vYvFk_7hE

'Getting Lost'

Have you ever wondered why gangsters get away with the things that they do? If they are so infamous, don't people know what's going on? Why are we so afraid? WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Movies are good for entertainment but at times they highlight so pretty interesting matters.

A Bronx Tale is a movie I'm sure most of you have seen but if not, it revolves around a young boy,Calogero, raised in a traditional Italian home. Calogero and his friends spend most of their days admiring the infamous Sonny LoSpecchio and his pinky ring-wearing friends; hoping to one day be a well respected man like Sonny. However, when Calogero witnesses Sonny murder a man, he is swarn to secrecy by his father. This is just one example that proves that these cons get respect that they do not reserve. Unfortunately, this fear is not just reserved for the big screen. Today people fear the mod and 'get lost' at the sight of something they were not supposed to see. We are doing ourselves and our areas a disservice by keeping quiet. Whether it's someone selling drugs or someone get 'whacked' don't keep quiet and don't fear.

Glorifying the Mafia

The Godfather. The Sopranos. A Bronx Tail. Analyze This. Boardwalk Empire. Mob Wives. The list is endless of  television shows and movies that glorify the mafia. Mobsters in these movies are portrayed as handsome, slick, wealthy, and POWERFUL. The typical mobster shown in these movies and shows always have beautiful wives or girlfriends and 9 out of 10 times, they cheat on them and just as often, the women know. People living around them are afraid and looked at as unworthy. These men kill innocent people on a regular basis and do so like it's no big deal. What about this lifestyle is so intriguing to people?

Since we are a bunch teenage girls, I am going to assume the almost everyone has seen Mob Wives. If not, the title explains itself. The show is based around four women involved in this 'lifestyle.' They act like they are big and bad because their husbands or fathers led organizations that went out and killed people. They truly believe that they are looked at as royalty. And the saddest part about it?...They are. What good do they do for our cities? Why do people let themselves be so afraid? And why do we give them so much power?

Mobster 'Crackdown'

As most of you know, 2011 brought us the biggest mob bust New York has ever seen. If you didn't see it on the news, Vh1's "Mob Wives" highlighted the event that left these wives in tears. The FBI took down 127 alleged mobsters. The arrest targeted five crime families from New York, one from New Jersey, and one from Rhode Island. Attorney General, Eric Holder said, "Some allegations involve classic mob hits to eliminate perceived rivals. Others involve senseless murders." This investigation took several years and the arrest may not have been possible without 'rats' or informants from the inside. Other than informants, investigators used wiretaps and surveillance which supplied evidence for the case. This case was imperative to keep our streets safe and our people comfortable. Organized crime is one of the most dangerous in our country and the FBI and police are cracking down.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/8272443/FBI-arrests-127-mobsters-in-biggest-ever-crackdown-in-New-York.html

Organized Crime

My topic is organized crime. It was not a choice on the list but it is something that I have learned so much about over the years and something that truly interests me. My dad is a special agent in the FBI and he currently specializes in organized crime. Over the past few years, organized crime has been on the rise. I have heard countless stories about the infamous mobsters that roam our streets and I will share some here. My blog will inform you about organized crime and hopefully you enjoy!