NCJ Number
80711
Date Published
1981
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report covers the activities and accomplishments during 1980 of the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, which is charged with investigating cases of organized crime and public corruption, and presents data on crime trends in the State for the years 1977-80.
Abstract
During 1980, the commission often cooperated with other agencies in combating narcotics distribution, white-collar crime, the infiltration of businesses by organized crime figures, public corruption, and labor racketeering. The commission issued reports on racketeering in the commercial loan brokerage industry, on organized crime's infiltration of the pizza and cheese industry, and on organized crime activities in the 1970's. The commission has been working to develop and establish a multistate law enforcement association called MAGLOCLEN (Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network), which would serve as a network of information on organized crime figures. The report provides an overview of illegal activities in which organized criminals were involved during the year, an update on the status of major organized crime figures, a look at the distribution of crimes across the State, a description of other State law enforcement agency activities, and a review of prosecutorial efforts during the year. An examination of crime trends (1977-80) indicates that gambling, narcotics violations, and prostitution all decreased during the years covered. These figures probably mean that there has been less enforcement focus on these crimes and not that these crimes have actually decreased. The report indicates that the incidence of crime, particularly organized crime, in the State is expected to remain high and could even increase in the next year, while law enforcement is decreasing its effort to prosecute so-called 'victimless crimes' (gambling and prostitution). Recommendations to the general assembly are included. Maps, graphs, pie charts, and an organizational chart are included.