NCJ Number
49406
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE WATERFRONT COMMISSION OF NEW YORK HARBOR ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC DEMAND THAT CONDITIONS OF ORGANIZED CRIME AND CORRUPTION ON THE WATERFRONT BE ELIMINATED. AT THE TIME OF THE COMMISSION'S CREATION, ORGANIZED LARGE-SCALE STEALING PREVAILED AND WAS TOLERATED BY COMPANIES WHO WERE AFRAID OF COSTLY STRIKE ACTIONS. THE CONDITIONS WERE SUCH THAT MEN WITH ORGANIZED CRIME TIES COLLECTED SALARIES FROM STEAMSHIP AND STEVEDORING COMPANIES WITHOUT WORKING, LOAN SHARKING WAS PREVALENT AND KICKBACKS WERE WIDESPREAD, LABOR RACKETEERING AND PUBLIC LOADING RACKETS WERE EXTENSIVE, AND MURDER AND GAMBLING WERE COMMON. THE COMMISSION CONSISTS OF COMMISSIONERS FROM NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AND A STAFF OF 43 SPECIAL AGENTS, 16 UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS, AND 135 MISCELLANEOUS EMPLOYEES. THE COMMISSION HAS A VARIETY OF MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH INCLUDE RUNNING HIRING CENTERS, LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF WATERFRONT WORKERS, AND MAINTENANCE OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT. AMONG THE SUCCESSES OF COMMISSION INVESTIGATORS WERE TWO UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE ILLEGAL SALE OF STOLEN CARGO, A VARIETY OF CASES INVOLVING WIDESCALE LOAN SHARKING, LABOR RACKETEERING INVOLVING ORGANIZED CRIMINALS, AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS. IN 1976, ANOTHER COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION EXPOSED LARGE SCALE FRAUD IN FILING OF WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION CLAIMS. SINCE ITS CREATION IN 1953, THE COMMISSION HAS EFFECTIVELY CARRIED OUT ITS MANDATE TO DISCOURAGE WATERFRONT CRIME WHILE IMPROVING REGULAR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: THE ONCE INEXHAUSTIBLE FOUNT OF ILLEGAL WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN SHARPLY REDUCED AS A RESULT OF THE COMMISSION'S ENDEAVORS. ILLUSTRATIONS ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (JAP)