THE STANDARDS RECOMMENDED IN THIS REPORT WERE FORMULATED TO ASSIST ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE AGENCIES OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. AS A UNIT, THESE STANDARDS CONSTITUTE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THIS COUNTRY. FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, A BRIEF HISTORY OF ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THE UNITED STATES, A DESCRIPTION OF THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANIZED CRIME, AND THE RESULTS OF A STUDY OF THE VARIOUS WAYS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM ARE PRESENTED. PART 3 OF THIS REPORT PRESENTS STANDARDS TO GUIDE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, OFFICIALS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND PRIVATE CITIZENS IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS TO COMBAT ORGANIZED CRIMINAL OPERATIONS. THESE STANDARDS ARE BASED ON SUCCESSFUL MODELS OPERATING IN THE STATES OR ON CONCEPTS THAT THE TASK FORCE AND THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ORGANIZED CRIME. PROPOSALS FOR STATE AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL PROGRAMS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THEIR STATUTORY AUTHORITY ARE CONTAINED IN CHAPTER 4. THE STANDARDS IN CHAPTERS 5 THROUGH 8 RECOMMEND SPECIFIC POLICIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS, PROSECUTORIAL TOOLS, AND LEGAL PROCEDURES FOR ADOPTION BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE STANDARDS IN CHAPTER 9 RECOMMEND THAT APPROPRIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL BE INSTITUTED FOR ALL LEVELS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER VICTIMLESS CRIMES SHOULD BE LEGALIZED OR DECRIMINALIZED IS DISCUSSED IN THE APPENDIX.