God Father Movie Question for the Brain Trust...

[SteyrAUG]

My father grew up in Brooklyn and it was well known the mafia ran the neighborhoods. Interestingly enough he said the neighborhoods were never safer than when the mob ran them. No one messed with old people or kids, your Mom could walk down the block at midnight and feel safe. All the violence was mafioso on mafioso and gang on gang. Anyone messing with a kid or elderly person was found in a dumpster the next day.

I know what you refer to, at the same time if those old folks owned a business and couldn't come up with protection money, they might end up in the dumpster. The mafia does understand PR and certainly doesn't tolerate a lot of competition from "other" criminals and the create the misconception that they protect their own neighborhoods.

And typically they are deep enough into every level of local crime that they don't personally come after the locals who live there and they often depend upon them as a form of intelligence network. But if somebody kills grandma for her collection of antique silver dollars or some drug addict kills somebody else for drug money, at the end of the day part of that score of silver coins got kicked up to somebody and the local mafia got a piece of the proceeds from every drug sale in the area.

Factor in that in many areas the cops are paid off and to the untrained eye it might "look" like the mafia is some kind of neighborhood watch when needed.

[flenna]

I know what you refer to, at the same time if those old folks owned a business and couldn't come up with protection money, they might end up in the dumpster. The mafia does understand PR and certainly doesn't tolerate a lot of competition from "other" criminals and the create the misconception that they protect their own neighborhoods.

And typically they are deep enough into every level of local crime that they don't personally come after the locals who live there and they often depend upon them as a form of intelligence network. But if somebody kills grandma for her collection of antique silver dollars or some drug addict kills somebody else for drug money, at the end of the day part of that score of silver coins got kicked up to somebody and the local mafia got a piece of the proceeds from every drug sale in the area.

Factor in that in many areas the cops are paid off and to the untrained eye it might "look" like the mafia is some kind of neighborhood watch when needed.

Really that is what it boiled down to- they didn’t want any competition in their AO. Only they could extort the local businesses and outside crime would be bad for their business. Same thing in Vegas when the mob ran it- the average Joes visiting thought it was the safest place around so they would hang around and lose their money. The locals and business owners knew what would happen to them if they got out of line, though.

[flenna]

Double tap…

[Averageman]

Well according to legend these guys started off as "Robin Hood" like figures keeping the "Robber Barrons" in check. Pretty interesting to look in to anyway.

In America the story they would like to tell is they kept the neighborhoods safe and regulated commerce both in and out, making money for everyone.

Then the vice's began to take hold and again that was regulated and away from local homes and businesses.

Pretty much, the Avergeman could mind his business and not become involved in any of it and never have an issue.
I got a story or two of my Families involvement in construstion and trade unions in Chicago.

[SteyrAUG]

Well according to legend these guys started off as "Robin Hood" like figures keeping the "Robber Barrons" in check. Pretty interesting to look in to anyway.

In America the story they would like to tell is they kept the neighborhoods safe and regulated commerce both in and out, making money for everyone.

Then the vice's began to take hold and again that was regulated and away from local homes and businesses.

Pretty much, the Avergeman could mind his business and not become involved in any of it and never have an issue.
I got a story or two of my Families involvement in construstion and trade unions in Chicago.

Probably a sliver of truth to some of those origins stories.

Chinese triads began as "patriot boxer" societies trying to get the Manchu out of China, when it was forever lost after the failed boxer rebellions all those men with organization, fighting and weapon skills found other industry.

And while it's harder to pinpoint the beginnings of yakuza families in Japan, more than a few began as samurai families who lost their status with the Meiji restoration.

[Diamondback]

Probably a sliver of truth to some of those origins stories.

Chinese triads began as "patriot boxer" societies trying to get the Manchu out of China, when it was forever lost after the failed boxer rebellions all those men with organization, fighting and weapon skills found other industry.

And while it's harder to pinpoint the beginnings of yakuza families in Japan, more than a few began as samurai families who lost their status with the Meiji restoration.

They lose their way and become the very things they were founded to fight against.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

They lose their way and become the very things they were founded to fight against.

Isn’t that every story from history on a long enough timeline?

The Jesse Jackson rule. Either die Young and a hero, like MLK Jr. or live in for decades, and become a self referential joke.

[Diamondback]

Isn’t that every story from history on a long enough timeline?

The Jesse Jackson rule. Either die Young and a hero, like MLK Jr. or live in for decades, and become a self referential joke.

Yup. Die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.