Black Organized Crime in Chicago

Organized crime in Chicago has been around for many years. From the days of the Chicago Outfit with Al Capone in the 1930s to Larry Hoover and the Gangster Disciples, organized crime has been the source for well known criminals and organized leaders to provide a way to generate income, gain respect, and obtain power and control. Since the era of the Italian mob, groups such as the Gangster Disciples and Black Mafia have taken over organized crime in the City of Chicago. Most of these organized crime groups started out as street gangs. However, by studying crime bosses like Al Capone and John Gotti, these groups have emerged to the level where they can be considered organized crime (Lindberg & Petrenko, 1998).

Gangster Disciples and Black Mafia There is no secret that African American and other minorities in syndicated vice and crime followed the decline of traditional Italian American organized crime groups. African Americans have always been part of organized crime in Chicago. They controlled gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking in black areas. Many African American organized crime leaders have gotten their start by imitating what they have seen and observed in the Italian mob bosses. Although many African American gang organizations began to participate more in their own organized crime ventures, they still lacked the necessary political associations and organizational skills necessary to participate in criminal activity on the same level as the once prominent Italian American crime syndicates. It was not until 1974 that Francis Ianni predicted the emergence of a sophisticated “Black Mafia.” The traditional Italian American organized crime was being displaced by African Americans and other minorities (Lombardo, 2002) Operating in Chicago, IL, the Gangster Disciples was lead by Larry Hoover. The original gang started out as the Black Gangster Disciples Nation with Larry Hoover along with a man named “King” David Barksdale. Upon the Death of Barksdale, the gang split up into two groups, the Black Disciples and the Gangster Disciples. Operating in states all across the country, the Gangster Disciples established a formal structure similar to many other organized crime groups. The Gangster Disciples were very heavy in the drug business. Most of their income stemmed from drug distribution. Like many other gangs, the G.D’s as they were often referred to, were very particular about other people conducting business on their turf (Mallory, 2007). The Gangster Disciples would collect money from anyone who wanted to sell drugs on their turf, therefore increasing their revenue. With the enhancement of new technology, organized crime in Chicago has grown even greater in numbers. Drugs are being distributed to more cities and it is becoming unknown just exactly who is a member of the organization. Crime is no longer confined to just one neighborhood or just one city, organized crime now operates on a worldwide scale. These organized crime groups are expanding so fast that it has become harder for law enforcement officials to breakdown their operation.
References
Lindberg, K., & Petrenko, J. (1998). Traditional Organized Crime in Chicago. International Review of Law,12(1), 47-73.
Lombardo, Robert M. Crime, Law & Social Change, Jul2002, Vol. 38 Issue 1, p33-65, 33p
Mallory, S. L. (2007). Understanding organized crime. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.