The La Cosa Nostra or American Mafia is entered in the popolar culture like a movie like Godfellas or Casino and tv series like the Sopranos and today every new arrest or trial against members of the mafia is news but I think its importance in the logic of crime is exaggerated.
Since the 1980s, it no longer plays a prominent role in drug trafficking,is confinate in the East Coast,have less than 700 made men lost most of his rackets and are no long a secret society with the members that flip that can easly turn back to his hoods without any danger.
Today are more dangerous the cartels,the black gangs and the bikers but Tony Soprano have more charm that Jax Teller or Stringer Bell of course the mobsters are still respected but the mob isnt so dangerous out NY.