The Fascinating World Of Downtown 1930'S Mafia
It’s been almost a century since the heyday of the mafia in the downtown areas of U.S. cities, but the fascination with the organized crime that dominated the 1930s remains. As the movies of the time depicted, the mafia was a tight-knit group of criminals who used violence and influence to gain control of local businesses and rackets. But beneath the movie glamorization, what was the day-to-day reality of the downtown mafia?
The Mafia Family
The core of the downtown mafia was its family structure, with a boss at the top, underbosses, lieutenants, and soldiers. The boss was the absolute authority, with the underboss acting as his right-hand man. Lieutenants were in charge of specific areas, such as gambling or prostitution, and soldiers were the street-level enforcers. For the most part, the downtown mafia families were all Italian-American, although there were a few exceptions. The members of the family were expected to be loyal and obedient, and outsiders were viewed with suspicion and distrust.
The Methods of the Downtown Mafia
The downtown mafia used a variety of methods to gain control of the local businesses and rackets. These included bribery, threats, and violence. They would often take over a business by intimidating the owners, or they would pay them off to turn a blind eye to their activities. They were also adept at setting up front companies that allowed them to launder money and hide their activities. In addition to these methods, the downtown mafia was adept at forging alliances with other criminal organizations, such as the Cosa Nostra and the Camorra.
The Rackets of the Downtown Mafia
The downtown mafia was known for its involvement in a variety of illegal activities, including extortion, racketeering, gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking. They also had a hand in legitimate businesses, such as restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. In the 1930s, the downtown mafia had a great deal of influence over the local economy. In fact, it is estimated that the mafia controlled up to 20 percent of the businesses in the downtown areas of many cities.
The Role of the Police
The police in the 1930s were largely powerless when it came to combating the activities of the downtown mafia. Corruption was rampant in the police departments of the time, and many police officers were on the payroll of the mafia. In addition, the mafia had infiltrated many of the local government agencies and had a great deal of influence over the political scene. This created an atmosphere in which the mafia was largely able to operate without fear of repercussions.
The End of the Downtown Mafia
The downtown mafia began to decline in the 1940s and 1950s, as the FBI began to crack down on organized crime. In addition, the influx of new immigrants from Europe and other parts of the world began to dilute the Italian-American influence of the mafia. By the 1960s and 1970s, the downtown mafia had largely faded away, although it still had a presence in some cities.
The Legacy of the Downtown Mafia
The legacy of the downtown mafia is still felt today. The influence of organized crime can still be seen in many cities, and the methods used by the mafia are still in use by modern criminal organizations. In addition, the movies and television shows of the 1930s have left an indelible mark on our culture, and the downtown mafia remains an iconic part of our popular imagination.
Conclusion
The downtown mafia of the 1930s was an influential and powerful force in many U.S. cities. The organized crime that dominated the downtown areas of the time was a complex and dangerous organization, and its legacy can still be felt today. Although the mafia may no longer exist in its original form, its influence can still be seen in many cities and towns across the country.