“Come Heavy, or Not at All”

Abstract

Several qualitative studies, conducted in Chicago, provide the framework for the argument that, despite the massive illicit dealings of the Italian American organized crime, the residential neighborhoods in which they live and work remain relatively free of violent crime, more so than other similar urban neighborhoods. This study quantitatively examines the characteristics of the “defended neighborhood,” and how they are uniquely applied to Chicago neighborhoods. Focusing on neighborhood reputation, this research considers the influence of public reputation as informal social control over violent street crime. The results indicate that neighborhoods with an Italian American concentration have significantly lower rates of robbery compared with the rest of the city of Chicago.