The Most Mobster-Riddled American Cities: New York vs. Chicago

When discussing the most mobster-riddled American cities, New York and Chicago often clash for the top spot. Traditionally, New York City has dominated discussions on organized crime due to its large population, cultural significance, and the presence of the Five Families. However, Chicago’s singular dominance and unique law enforcement challenges also make it a prime candidate. Let's delve into the history and distinguishing features of these two cities in the context of organized crime.

New York: The Home of the Five Families

New York City is often synonymous with organized crime, particularly during the Prohibition era, when figures like Al Capone thrived. What sets New York apart is its diversified and expansive organized crime network, which can be attributed to several factors:

Immigration and Ellis Island: Large-scale immigration through Ellis Island in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a diverse immigrant population in the downtown areas of New York. This immigration had a profound impact on the city’s socioeconomic landscape, providing a fertile ground for the rise of organized crime. Opportunities and Business Vitality: New York’s central role in areas such as airlines, food supply, shipping, garment, and finance created numerous opportunities for the criminal element. The sheer size and diversity of the city’s workforce and businesses allowed organized crime to carve out distinctive niches and expand their influence.

The Five Families—Gambino, Colombo, Lucchese, Genovese, and Bonanno—each independently governed their own territories and maintained a degree of internal stability and power struggles. While there were often clashes within the families, the city remained a constant backdrop for their operations, making them formidable players in the organized crime world.

Chicago: The Monolith of Power - The Outfit

Chicago, on the other hand, is often considered to have a more unified and powerful form of organized crime due to its single dominant force: the Chicago Outfit. Unlike the five families in New York, which are more decentralized, Chicago's criminal world is dominated by a single entity. This centralized structure makes the Outfit particularly formidable and efficient in their operations.

During the Kefauver hearings in 1950, a notable observation was made: "Chicago is virtually unique in America-it is the only completely corrupt city in America!" This statement highlights the pervasive and systemic nature of corruption in Chicago, pointing to a singular entity that controls the criminal landscape.

The Chicago Outfit is known for its strong leadership and decision-making process. Unlike New York, where power was often disputed among multiple leaders, Chicago had a clear single commander. This single voice and unified approach made it easier for the Outfit to coordinate activities and minimize internal conflicts, leading to a more powerful and organized criminal entity.

Comparisons in Organized Crime Influence

When comparing the two cities, several factors must be considered:

Population and Influence: New York's larger population and diverse economy provided more opportunities for organized crime. In contrast, Chicago's single Outfit controlled the criminal landscape more uniformly. Decision-Making Process: In New York, decisions were often made through complex power dynamics and internal conflicts among the families. Chicago's singular authority streamlines this process. Corruption and External Perception: The perception of corruption in New York is often more decentralized and muted compared to Chicago, where it is seen as more pervasive and concentrated.

Other Rival Cities

Other cities with notable organized crime presence include:

New Jersey: Governed by the Gambino family, often intertwined with New York. Upstate NY, Buffalo, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Boston: Each with their own distinct histories and roles in organized crime. Kansas City, Florida, Detroit, Cleveland, Los Angeles, California, Las Vegas, Nevada: Cities also known for significant organized crime activities.

While these cities may not have the same level of influence as New York or Chicago, they still house significant organized crime networks and play crucial roles in the overall landscape.

Conclusion

Both New York and Chicago have earned their place in the history of organized crime. New York’s larger population and diverse economy provided a myriad of opportunities for unsavory activities, while Chicago’s singular dominance and centralized control by the Outfit made it equally formidable. Understanding the unique features of each city provides a deeper insight into the complex nature of organized crime in the United States.