If I may chime in from the Toronto area ...

I knew a few 'collectors' growing up and still know one or two in my adulthood. I've never heard of or seen violence against a wife or children.

HOWEVER... I have personally overheard the conversations wherein that bookie or collector will say something to the tune of "we know where your wife works and where your kids go to school" .... that's all they have to say ... there's no threat anywhere in that statement. HOWEVER to a person on the other end, it surely acts as an IMPLIED threat .. "pay up or .. well, we know where your mrs and the little ones hang out" ... the implied threat is made and the message is sent without (technically) a direct threat made.

So while I agree with one aspect of the debate above... that they don't target wives and kids, I also know enough that the wife and kids is brought up a scare tactic during collections to instill fear in the debtor.

Now .. NYMafia .. I enjoyed that piece in your first post above.. looking forward to reading the rest.

Cheers all and be safe.