I can't think of a single good reason. An enterprising independent crook can make money on his own although it may be harder in the NYC area. You make a little less but don't have to share it with anyone. These days anyone can dislike you or be jealous of you (In the mob) and spread the rumor that you are a rat, and you're gone. Also with all the rats recently, you could be exposed to arrest because of some shithead. And, as an independent, you can pick up and go to a different area for a while. The downside is that you don't have that network/connections that you would in the mob.