Kritin asked this question on 3/12/2000:

I'm an grade 13 student doing a project in organized crime in Canada. If you can provide me with any information about organized crime or organized crime groups, such as the mafia, or biker gangs and how/ why they operate, it will be greatly appreciated.

Paul157 gave this response on 3/13/2000:

Organized crime is a term used to describe the coordination and planning that groups of people engage in to carry out illegal acts.

The word mafia is synonymous with organized crime. "Gangs" also fit into the term organized crime.

Biker gangs that are associated with organized crime are known as 1% 'ers. Many years ago one of the motorcycle manufacturers had an ad that said that only 1% of bikers were bad guys. They did this trying to change the negative press that bikers were getting hoping to draw in the average person and also increase sales. Well, the gang members liked the whole 1% thing so they used it. You now find 1% patches on the biker gang member's colors.

Organized crime members operate their gang or group of people much like a business. There is a leader and many mid-level managers just like a business. There are rules and penalties for breaking rules.

You may find it easier to narrow your research down to a specific group or gang.

Please see the following:

www.gangsorus.com