...societies that operate under lawful guidelines, with the exception of the means to which goals are met (Lyman & Potter, 2007). Other theories such as relative deprivation, socioeconomic stratification, and differential opportunity all emphasize the breakdown in society causes undue stress, which in turn causes criminal behavior. Social disorganization is essentially the social collapse of society, where lawlessness becomes the norm, as a result of mitigating social factors. How does social disorganization relate to organized crime and its evolution? Social disorganization and the evolution of organized crime work hand in hand; if criminal members of society elected to live inside the boundaries of the law, organized crime would not exist. Further, as supply and demand of society changes, so does organized crime. The Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914 began the evolution of organized crime due to the regulation on drugs, which opened a market for organized crime groups that before did not exist (Lyman &...
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...individual’s action associates with law-violating behavior that in one way or another complexly organized or unorganized (Lyman & Potter, 2007; Mallory, 2007). To cite an instance, the case of gang culture could remarkably deviate from the prevailing order within the society. Within the gang culture, it could be evident that in one way or another, there is a presence of leadership that is either organized or unorganized. There might be order within this culture, but from the point of view of the society, there is a deviation from the actual law enforced by the people. It is in this case that one could link the case of gang culture with social disorganization. How does social disorganization relate to organized crime and its evolution? Organized crime has several criteria that define it. One of them is collaboration of more than three individuals for a period of time in conducting criminal activities. Another is the availability of opportunities in the society that promote such activities, for example the presence of a ready market for counterfeit or other illegal products. Social disorganization, to some extent, does meet some of these criteria and in effect, encourages the evolution of organized crime. For example, lack of self-policing in the society encourages the criminals since their efforts are unfettered. Individualism, an attribute that is related to both organized crime and social disorganization, makes the individuals abandon concerns for the society in pursuit...
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...Course Materials Lyman, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2007). Organized crime (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Mallory, S. L. (2007). Understanding organized crime. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. All electronic materials are available on the student website. |Week One: Understanding Organized Crime | | |Details |Due |Points | |Objectives |1.1 Define organized crime. |Thurs | 2 | | |1.2 Compare the various models that explain the structure of organized crime |Sat | | | |groups. | | | | |1.3 Describe the attributes of organized crime and its common behavioral | | | | |categories. | | | |Readings |Read the Week One Read Me First. | | | | |Read Ch. 1 of Organized Crime. | | | | ...
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...origins and development of organized crime in the United States. It examines the structure and activities of organized criminal enterprises, considers different models that have been employed to describe organized crime groups, and explores theories that have been advanced to explain the phenomenon. Major investigations of organized crime and legal strategies that have been developed to combat it are also considered. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Lyman, M. D., & Potter, G. W. (2007). Organized crime (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Mallory, S. L. (2007). Understanding organized crime. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: Understanding Organized Crime | | Details | Due | Points | Objectives | 1.1 Define organized crime. 1.2 Compare the various...
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...Social Organized Crime Perspective CJA/325 October 20, 2015 Larry Doyle Social Organized Crime Perspective Introduction The term social institution as it pertains to organized crime is a fascinating one. Here not only will it be explained but also how it is applied. Along with the theories that are most applicably applied to organized crime and behavior. These issues will help to dissect the reasoning and uses behind some the best known crime families. Social Organized Crime Perspective Organized crime throughout American history has seem to have a type of social institution embedded into its culture. Keep in mind it started out as a cultural advantage in parts of America. As America grew by immigrants flooding into its various coastlines and ports there were very little assimilations into the new world. Most people who came looking for better opportunities and escape religious or political persecution. Often they found it hard to find work in areas of the city that were not being developed by their own ethnicity. Immigrants came from Northern and Western Europe in the early 1890’s. As the 1900’s rolled around America saw more immigrants coming from Canada, Latin America as well as Eastern and Southern Europe (EyeWitnesstohistory, 2000). Since there were a lot of immigrants from all over coming to America it meant there were a lot different languages spoken. Many different cultures and multiple ethnicities missing their homeland and loved ones. People came to find...
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...suspects are both upheld (like the right to a speedy trial and bail). Public-order advocates are there to make sure that the public (communities) are also protected from unacceptable behavior... Describe the American experience with crime during the last half century. What noteworthy criminal incidents or activities can you identify during that time, and what social and economic conditions might have produced them? The American experience with crime during the last half century has been especially influential in shaping the criminal justice system of today. Although crime waves have come and gone, some events during the past century stand out as especially significant, including a spurt of widespread organized criminal activity associated with the Prohibition years of the early twentieth century; the substantial increase in “traditional” crimes during the 1960s and 1970s; the threat to the American way of life represented by illicit drugs around the same time; and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (Dworkin, 2005)., The American experience with crime during the last half century has been the main reason for the way our courts, law enforcement, and the criminal justice system operates the way that it does today. There have been many crime waves and other events that have played a key role in shaping the system as it is today. Some of...
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...understand the far-reaching effects of organized crime, it is important to understand the many factors that may be involved. One important factor is to understand what causes criminal organizations not only to form, but to thrive in the United States. One factor that can help explain the prevalence of organized crime is the theory of social disorganization. What is Social Disorganization Social disorganization can be difficult to accurately define and many variations exist regarding what social disorganization entails. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Center (NCJRS), social disorganization can be defined as the inability for community members to work together to solve problems and achieve shared values (2013). Understanding what causes social disorganization is crucial in trying to find ways to minimize it. One of the factors involved that may help to explain how social disorganization develops includes a high rate of population turnover. When people move in and out of communities, individuals do not establish roots or strong community bonds. Another factor that is involved is diverse ethnic groups living within close proximity (NCJRS, 2013). According to Lyman & Potter (2007), some researchers believe that crime is more prevalent in urban areas because of high rates of poverty, high levels of unemployment, and many single-parent households. If this is the case, the doors of opportunity are wide open for organized crime to move in and take over. Social...
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...Review Article Mumbai’s Development Mafia’s: Globalization, Organized Crime and Land Development Jordan Morrison 209148123 ENVS 4225: Urban Sustainability November 17, 2010 Mumbai’s Development Mafia’s: Globalization ,Organized Crime and Land Development LIZA WEINSTIEN International Journal of Urban and Regional Research Volume 32, Issue 1, pages 22-39, March 2008 Abstract For over a decade, researchers have analyzed the effects of liberalization and globalization on urban development, considering the local political implications of shifts at the national and global scales. Taking the case of Mumbai, this article examines how the past 15 years of political reforms in India have reshaped property markets and the politics of land development. Among the newly empowered actors, local criminal syndicates, often with global connections, have seized political opportunities created by these shifts to gain influence over land development. The rise of Mumbai's organized criminal activity in the 1950s was closely linked to India's macroeconomic policies, with strict regulation of imports fuelling the growth of black market smuggling. Liberalization and deregulation since the early 1990s have diminished demand for smuggled consumer goods and criminal syndicates have since diversified their operations. With skyrocketing real estate prices in the 1990s, bolstered by global land speculation, the mafia began investing in property development. Supported by an illicit nexus of politicians...
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...Business Interests of Organized Crime Groups Mary Weyer August 20, 2011 Business Interests of Organized Crime Groups Organized crime groups are infecting the United States at an increasing rate. The temptation of making fast easy money to people in low income areas is too great to resist. Legitimate businesses are at risk of being victimized by organized crime theft and fraud activities New World Encyclopedia, 2008). No one is safe from organized crime and its danger. Organized crime victimizes businesses, individuals, provides illegal services, and provides illegal goods. The main goal of organized crime is to make as much money as they can through any means be it legal or illegal. What are the business interests of organized crime groups? The business interest of organized crime is running a web of web sites scams. These scams claim that they are in trouble and need money. The goal of the scam is to get as many people as they can to send them money. Human trafficking is where individuals are sold for forced agricultural labor, forced industrial labor, and sexual exploitation (Lyman, 2007). Human trafficking includes children, women, and men. Money that has been embezzled or acquired through illegal services or goods will be placed in a legal business that they have set up for the purpose of laundering so it appears to have been acquired legally. Organized crime groups sell drugs in the United States and all over the...
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...they can achieve power and success on their own without abiding by the beliefs of the community (Lyman & Potter, 2007). For example, immigrant teens may be drawn toward gangs because of the difficulties they may face at school, their living conditions, poverty, and the inability to communicate in English. Joining a gang would allow them to socialize with members of the community with similar barriers. This will also offer them a sense of belonging, especially in a new environment. This is especially crucial at the teenage years. The evolution of Organized Crime and Social Disorganization Historically, organized crime has been identified as a consequence of social disorganization. When members of communities do not share the same moral beliefs or values, there is no unity and the community cannot function as a whole. In these cases organized crime can easily grow since there is no majority in the community to stop the commission of their crimes. Individuals forget about the law and its consequences in exchange for their personal financial profit which is gained illegally. Profit will always be the driving force behind Criminal Organizations. As such, the younger generation becomes attracted to the criminal lifestyle and sees it as a normal way of life because their families and the community as a whole have...
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...differences. These cultural differences mainly occur in the poverty-stricken areas, where criminal behavior has even more room to thrive. Relation to Organized Crime Social disorganization and organized crime can be linked in many ways depending on the theory being used. With social disorganizations theory that criminal behavior starts in the community and a reflection of the people’s surroundings, areas with large cultural differences and poverty are perfect breeding grounds for organized crime. Areas that have a population of mostly poor residents are more likely to have criminal activity such as drugs, theft, and gangs. With crimes starting and spreading in these areas they turn into a way of life for the people living in them. With so many cultures living in such small areas the fight to stay alive becomes a violent multicultural one. Gangs and drugs are one of the oldest versions of organized crime that is still alive today and is directly reflected by social disorganization. According to the social disorganization theory, when the youth of these poor neighborhoods see nothing but poverty, drugs, and violence around them the chances of them not leading the same type of life is greatly reduced then that of a youth that lives in the wealthy suburbs. Drugs and gangs have gotten bigger over time and have turned into units of organized...
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...social laws in place, or neglect their responsibilities in the society, there becomes disorder, which eventually becomes social disorganization. Because of this type of disorganization, members fail to agree on certain issues affecting their societies or institutions; causing the relationship between these two are broken. Clearly due to the disunity and lack of respect for one another, as a result of social disorganization, crimes become apart of society. The question becomes what is the possible relationship between social disorganization and organized crime. Relationship between social disorganization and organized crimes In establishing the relationship between social disorganization and organized crimes, it is important to define and understand both social disorganization and organized crime. As the name suggests, organized crime refers to crimes carried out by structured or centralized groupings in a society. Some of these groupings have a name and a leader. Reasons for carrying out crimes may be monetary or political reasons; in social disorganization there is violation of the societal laws, consequently this neglecting of laws leads to formation of gangs within the society. These street gangs carry out activities that are against the set rules. With time these street gangs may cohabit outsiders, who allows for more funds, and as result they evolve and to...
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...Social disorganization is the ineffectiveness for community individuals to achieve shared values or to figure out experienced problems. Social disorganization links crimes to neighborhood characteristics. For instance, a young individual from a troubled neighborhood cooperates in a subculture which permits delinquency—also gaining criminality in social and cultural environments. A main feature for social disorganization is it places focus on an individual’s resident location. An individual’s resident location is targeted more than an individual’s characteristics. These characteristics include age, gender, and race. An individual characteristic is not what steers an individual to become involved in illegal activities. Social disorganization focuses on the idea that crime is largely a product of unfavorable conditions in certain communities. These unfavorable conditions in certain communities lead to a high degree of “high school dropouts, unemployment, deteriorating infrastructures, and single-parent homes.” Social disorganization wants to pinpoint street crime at the neighborhood level. Social disorganization is blaming the environment surrounding youths for corruption. Individuals suffer from growing in communities that is filled with crime. People constantly speak about how growing up in Brooklyn and Compton gun shots can be heard every night. A young individual hearing gun shots or seeing a dead body in the street get traumatized. Youths at a young age who believe he or she...
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...Operation High Roller CSIA 301 November 23, 2014 New forms of cyber crime continue to come up all the time. Technology has aided the theft of money from bank accounts from banks from all over the world and one such cyber attack was Operation High Roller a cyber attack that targeted corporate bank accounts. According to The Wall Street Journal, these attacks which began in Europe spread to Latin America and even the United States (Booker 2012). The attackers did fraudulent transfer of money from accounts belonging to financial institutions. For instance, in the United States, the victims of the attack were companies whose commercial accounts had a minimum of several million dollars. The attackers sent SpyEye and Zeus software to hack computers that were infected with malware. This cyber attack has an extensive network and automation which interacts with serves that are used by their target victims. But much of the transactions are carried out in the servers used by the criminals. Two security firms, McAFee and Gurdian Analytic (Business Insider) were behind this discovery and they realized that there was no human participation required in the transactions. All the criminals needed were insider understanding of the goings on in the banking industry transaction systems. They then developed commercial and custom codes which they maliciously used to siphon millions of dollars into their virtual accounts. About sixty serves were identified as the ones used in making attempted...
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...Cyber-Crime Trends In the dawn of the 21st century, the evolution of new technology and science concepts have made changes to everyone’s daily life. Cyber-crimes are a creature that did not exist 15-plus years ago. Back in the day, before technology, were only the conventional crimes such as illegal behaviors people thought were criminal behaviors. However, in today’s time an individual must be extremely careful because not only are people combating traditional crimes but cyber-crimes as well. Cyber-crimes are the newest and most complicated crimes for the new century. A cyber crime is an individual conducting actions such as disrupting communications and devices, disrupting networks, Internet, and telephone; both landlines and mobile. Individuals of various ages are committing cyber crimes because these types’ crimes are easier to commit than the traditional kidnapping, murder, or human trafficking. According to Parthasarati (n. d.), cyber criminals fall into one of four categories or groups including children and adolescents between ages six to 18, organized hackers, professional hackers/crackers, and the discontent employee(s). The child or adolescent will partake in such behaviors to prove his or her self superior or outstanding over other individual in his or her age group. The organized hacker will want to fulfill objectives such as political bias and fundamentalism to name a couple. The professional hacker/cracker obtains motivation from money and are individual(s) employed...
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