We hear of the established families, defunct families and the families that are on the brink of becoming defunct

Would there be somewhere where a new family could spring up or there no chance of that ever happening these days?

Is there any cities in America that has a decent sized Italian community that does not have a lcn family?

No chance whatsoever... unless we're taking the CN structure and basically applying it to a bonafide gang composed of non-Italians. Otherwise I can't see any new family being made.

A more interesting question would be mergers? You guys think in the near future families could merge and become just four or three?
Like the Bonannos and Colombos could merge? We all know most families aren't exactly in good shape so I could see something like this possibly happening out of necessity. Like it was discussed back in the early 90s that the Luccheses would absorb the Orena Colombo faction or something like that.

Who the hell would want to merge with the Colombos?

No. The end.

It's was tolking of the Colacurcios in Seattle that has 100 men but maybe is exxagerated,I think if a family could be rebuilt was the Patriarca 'cause the Massachusetts 13.9%,Rhode Island 18.9% and Connecticut 18.7% was full of italians and I don't understand why the family has only 30 made men in old age,but the reasons was that NY put a freeze on the making ceremonies

The Colacurcio's probably were nothing more than a standard organized gang of which the leader just happened to have an Italian surname. Organized crime they most likely were in some way, shape or form (if we're looking for a comparison they probably veered closer towards a "Dixie mafia"-like business model), but definitely not Cosa Nostra.

Yes,and what you thinks about what I said on the Patriarcas ?

I don't know enough about the Patriarcas to be honest, so I should better keep schtum But what you say definitely holds merit, it is strange that a region with such a large Italian-descended population doesn't have a shitload of mobsters running around. But one thing that strikes me on New England is that the entire region seems to have its own unique sort of culture, very different from that of New York, New Jersey, Philly, Chicago or Detroit. Both Italians and Irish seem to have blended into that kind of New England atmosphere.

i think the patriarcas have 50 made members but being in a place with high italian population sure they have a large number of associates

Good question British. Let me run down the list.

KC agreed to call it quits. Just a little bookmaking now. Defunct.
LA family was weak even in their peak years, sometimes so weak their rackets were defunct. Pete Milano wasn't afraid to order murders and collect street tax from bookies but for the past decade he was geriatric and now he's dead. Safe to say LA is dead.
Rockford's boss was a hitman for the Chicago Outfit and not really a leader of a family. Only "The Arm" thinks they are viable. Seriously fuck that guy and his legion of misinformation.
Buffalo has plenty of made members but the lack of indictments suggests they're not coming back anytime soon.
Bufalino and Pittsburgh are dead or have one member respectively and were ordered not to open their books YEARS ago.
Rochester had an opportunity when their membership was released from jail, yet they failed to start anything up. That's telling. How do you build something from nothing?

I have often thought about these questions but the fact that a defunct family has yet to be revived shows us that it is unlikely to happen. Can I rule it out? No. Surely there is someone dumb enough to do so but without a network of corrupt police, officials, and muscle they would be easy prey and shut down very quick. That, FBI's successful prosecution for the last few decades, RICO, and changing demographics are why it has not been attempted.

Interestingly, of note, near Pittsburgh there is a town called Penn Hills. A group of non-Italians started a robbery crew which they called the Penn Hills mafia. That's the only "new" family, and their behavior was pretty pathetic. In other words, white kids from the suburbs might go ahead and try it, but building Cosa Nostra out of nothing? Current conditions do not favor it. Not to mention, many of the famous mob families encourage their kids to stay away from the mob and left their children and grandchildren legitimate real estate to save them from the life. So the legacy died with a lot of bosses in the 60's and 70's. So yeah, who is going to continue the legacy?

DeCavalcante's looked to be on the comeback after Frank Guarraci took over. LOTS of new blood. But that new blood was stupid blood. Their capo wanted to whack out a rival with grenade-wielding 1%ers. Its clear that organization has fallen on hard times. I personally don't believe they will make a comeback, but their low-profile members will continue with bookmaking and shylocking. They have about 15-20 years left.

..I personally am in the minority on detroit. I say don't listen to people who say Detroit has made some incredible comeback. There would be a shred of evidence. A bit like Buffalo. They have members but have atrophied.

In reality, Patriarcas have the best hope. They are more active then they are getting credit for.

There seems to be this notion that having a large Italian population means you should have a large family.

You guys are missing the point that being Italian doesn't make you a criminal, or an idiot, both of which you have to be to want to be in the Mafia in 2015.

^ This

I'm from New England. Italians in the suburbs are just another group of suburban white kids. In a suburban high school, you don't have like pockets of Italian kids running with each other. They mostly just consider themselves White. This isn't 1950.

in all the place where there are a big population of southern italian there are mafia family more or less large... look at canada, australia, germany (dozens of ndrangheta cells) or northern italy, the greater turin and milan areas are litterally full of mafiosi

Thank you for the responses, its much like I thought

The Colocuricos ran a couple of strip clubs. The old man is dead the Frank Jr. is broke. Frank Sr. was just a pimp with a mean streak

The southern Italians here are assimilated. That's what you guys have to realize. They're just Americans now. Especially the new generation.

I'm not sure how this idea of Seattle having a "family" got started, but just because someone owns a gun and has a vowel at the end of his name, doesn't make him LCN.

although southern italian are more or less assimilated in the states the mafia is still alive and strong a whole burough of ny (staten island) is about 40% italian, new jersey is about 25% italian so the mafia still has a pool to recruit members at least in ny,nj and other eastern areas

@ m2w

It's been awhile, but I remember you as a quality poster. But you're giving Italian Americans way too much credit for being like their Italian and Sicilian counterparts. These kids are often fourth generation now. And every day that Italians are in America, they become another day removed from what goes on in Italy.

These kids don't know Sicilian history and they don't know Cosa Nostra. The best and the brightest in the Italian AMERICAN community are becoming professionals and legit business owners today. Doctors, lawyers, restaurant owners, etc. I mean, if you made it over here, what would you want for your kids?

And again, I'm talking about Italians in AMERICA. The mob will always be around in Southern Italy because it's part of the identity and the cultural fabric. The mob will last in America for awhile for the simple reason that criminal minded people will always be around. The motivation to jump into the life is entirely different, and that's why you can't compare the two groups today. The only thing they have in common in the 21st Century is Italian last names.

PB , message me your new email address pal

I'll do it on the other site later today. I don't want to keep my pm open here.

thanks PB , or just email me then I've got it

Could you please send it to me too, if you don't mind? I remember you said you were willing to discuss some mistakes in the Basciano book, I have kept it until these days, but soon will read it and there surely will be questions. Could you please also answer my yesterday's pm (I won't bother you anymore if you prefer not to comunicate through pm here, but, since it was open, I thought I might ask the question).

and more likely that the Ndrangheta, which is expanding throughout the world decide to settle in the US as the Sales at san francisco,the Piromallis in Philly or the schirippas in NY for example.

Yup, the Schirripas are already out shaking down the Jersey port and buying stool softener for Uncle Junior .

Doubt many of them can even speak Italian..

Hi Pizza, when do you think it started to change for the Americans?

I don't know about New England, but I think what you say applies to most places. Italian Americans are totally assimilated into American culture. There are very few actual Italian neighborhoods, none of us speak a word of Italian. And most of us that would identify as Italian probably are also Irish, if not also several other European ancestries.