Statement of John Weed Powers, President, Citizens League of Greater Youngstown, Ohio, January 26, 1984 (From Profile of Organized Crime Great Lakes Region - Hearings, P 341-378, 1984 - See NCJ-94574)

• NCJ Number: 94577
• Author(s): J W Powers
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 37 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-94574

Annotation

The President of the Citizens' League (Youngstown, Ohio) believes a direct cause-and-effect relationship exists between his community's decreasing quality of life and organized crime's pervasive influence in the community's affairs.

Abstract

Massive economic difficulties struck the city in 1977 when the steel-producing economic base of the city collapsed. Widespread economic dislocation provided organized crime with an attractive environment. The Citizen's League formed to fill a vacuum in civic leadership. Its top priorities are combating organized crime and public corruption. The first essential step is to educate the public about the dangers organized crime presents to society. Towards this end, public meetings, radio, and television have been used to address Youngstown citizens about organized crime. In addition, the League carefully monitored campaign contributions during the mayoral election. At least one candidate attributed his loss to publicized close connections to organized crime. Local law enforcement has proven unable to act against organized crime. Federal agencies, particularly the FBI, are needed to address the problem effectively. Their expertise would be enthusiastically supported by the Citizen's League.