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Violence in Organized Crime - A Content Analysis of De Cavalcante and De Carlo Transcripts (From Organized Crime in America, P 55-70, 1987, Timothy S Bynum, ed. - See NCJ-104665)

NCJ Number
104669
Author(s)
K Schlegel
Date Published
1987
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Information from wiretaps of two organized crime groups between 1961 and 1965 revealed large numbers of references to violence, although threats of violence were more common than actual violence, which appeared to be used relatively infrequently.
Abstract
The FBI planted 98 wiretaps and eavesdrop devices at offices and restaurants believed to be frequented by members of organized crime. Agents kept logs summarizing conversations of interest. The De Cavalcante transcripts contained 71 references to violence, and the De Carlo transcripts contained 115 references. References to actual violence, in the form of either murders or beatings, involved a small portion of the total references. Threats of violence appeared to play an important role in both families, but threats were apparently rarely carried out. Little evidence existed to suggest that actual violence was used as a means of controlling group behavior, although the De Carlo group appeared to use violence or threats to enforce territorial agreements with other crime groups. Violence or threats of violence also appeared to be a means of enforcing agreements between suppliers and customers. Excerpts of transcripts, data tables, notes, and 8 references.

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