The reason for forming a criminal organization today is to pursue rackets that, presumably, other criminal organizations aren't exploiting or don't seem to care about. That's how the Irish, Russian, Jamaican, Albanian, Latino, etc., gangs got started--some of them when the Mafia was stronger than it is now. As long as the organization isn't stepping on a Mafia family's toes, or has made some accommodation with them (as did the Westies), why would the Mafia care about them? And, for that matter, why would the new organization want to go through all the ritual BS the Mafia supposedly imposes, when the purpose is to get rich quick? And, if it were a new Italian gang, why would they complicate their lives by claiming to be Mafia, when their goal would be to avoid crossing the existing Mafia family's path?
True. Also, when you really think about it. How many actual 'rackets' are even left to create, or fight over anyway??
Not many, that's for certain.
You got sports bookmaking (which is weakening by the day because of legality), shylocking, shakedowns (which is debatable), and narcotics. After that, what's REALLY left to fuck around with??
there are NO labor unions which are 90% gone. And NO Mafia run; policy-numbers operations, horse betting, truck hijacking, cargo-pier thefts, stolen or counterfeit securities, counterfeit or stolen credit cards, bankruptcy frauds (bust outs) are at a bare minimum, cigarette smuggling, floating dice games, illegal underground casinos, after-hours alcohol clubs, pornography, prostitution, organized high-end burglaries and bank thefts, large auto-theft rings, safe-cracking, etc., etc., etc.
It's largely over!!! And has been for several decades already.
Unless a guy wants to complete with 5-million other guys all chasing the same 50 cent piece as a bookie, or to put out a few loans. Or to risk your balls selling junk. Whats left??
Legit business, thats what.
So even if guys wanted to mobilize into a 'crew,' what are they gonna do once they are formed? Play pinnacle? Lol
