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.

Poe gave this response on 3/13/2000:

The mafia or mafiaso is primarily believed to have been originated out of Sicily, Italy. My husband's family is Italian, and from what I have gathered from them, in hearing of their ancestry, is that the mafia established in the US as a way, initially, of protection and help for the Italian immigrants. You can go to a site called APB that has extensive mobster related info. The mafia was to have originally operated on a code of silence, as well as others, but in the last few years it seems, many have broken that code. Mafia members have also been known to regard their activities as purely "business," in the case of many killings, etc, that have occurred, but this does not include activities resultant of a more personal nature, such as, favors owed, etc. Still others would argue that those would be a "business matter" as well. There are a multitude of reasons why biker gangs form and that could vary dependant upon the type of gang. The motorcycle first gained popularity after it was used in the war. I believe it was World War II. It is believed that biker gangs first beganto spring up after this. Hope I have helped. Good Luck!

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