NCJ Number
78134
Date Published
1972
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Scenes of organized crime activities in Michigan underscore a discussion of organized crime's extensive impact on the economy, on street crime, and on ordinary people.
Abstract
Discussion topics include the role of organized crime in mutual numbers rackets, in loan-shark activities, in street crime, in auto theft, in arson, and in the corruption of major sports events. A relationship is drawn between the ordinary citizen's modest $2 bet and the cumulative effect of many similar bets that can lead to investment in illegal activities, price distortion, corruption, and murder. Organized crime is depicted as a conglomerate that exists, in part, to meet certain citizens' needs, that engages in many illegal activities such as gambling and narcotics, and that disciplines its members with threats and murder. Organized crime's interaction with street crime is shown through its encouragement of, for example, addiction and prostitution. Viewers are urged to support the exposure of organized crime figures and their activities, to avoid particpating in the activities of organized crime such as gambling, and to avoid voting for political candidates with questionable reputations.