NCJ Number
48564
Journal
LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 14-17
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE 1976 REFERENDUM PERMITTING CASINO GAMBLING IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, HAS SPURRED LAW ENFORCEMENT MOBILIZATION ON THE LOCAL, COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO DEAL WITH ORGANIZED CRIME INFILTRATION.
Abstract
THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR PREDICTS A 50 PERCENT OR GREATER INCREASE IN ATLANTIC CITY'S CRIME RATE BY 1982. EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IN THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF WHITE COLLAR CRIMES ASSOCIATED WITH GAMBLING. PERSONNEL ARE BEING EXPOSED TO INTENSIVE INSERVICE TRAINING, AND PERSONNEL IN THE STATE DIVISION OF GAMING ARE RECEIVING SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN THE AREAS RELATED TO CASINO CONTROL, HOTELS, UNIONS, AND VICE. ONE PROBLEM FACING LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL IS THAT OF DETERMINING EXACTLY WHAT CONSTITUTES AN ORGANIZED CRIME TIE. THE CASINO CONTROL ACT SPECIFIES THAT LICENSES WILL NOT BE GRANTED TO ANY KNOWN CRIMINAL, MEMBER OF A CAREER OFFENDER CARTEL, OR ASSOCIATE OF A CAREER OFFENDER OR CARTEL. HOWEVER, PROVING ASSOCIATIONS CAN BE A DIFFICULT TASK. IN ONE CASE, A RESTAURANTEUR KNOWN TO HAVE TIES WITH THE GAMBINO CRIME FAMILY REMAINS IN BUSINESS BECAUSE LINKS BETWEEN HIS RESTAURANT AND THE FAMILY COULD NOT BE PROVEN. MOREOVER, COURT CHALLENGE OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE CASINO CONTROL ACT IS FORESEEN. THE CHIEF OF ATLANTIC CITY POLICE PLANS TO SUPPLEMENT HIS FORCE SUBSTANTIALLY OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS, AT A HIGH COST TO THE CITY. LABOR RACKETEERING IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT AN ENFORCEMENT PROBLEM AS WELL. STUDIES ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN TO PROJECT CRIME FIGURES AND TRENDS WHICH SHOULD AID IN THE DETERMINATION OF ENFORCEMENT MANPOWER NEEDS. THE ULTIMATE TASK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THE INCREASE IN CRIME MAY BE STAGGERING, BUT BECAUSE IT WILL BE A TYPE OF CRIME THAT WILL BE VERY HARD TO DETECT. (JAP)