...to violence, often times for entertainment. Television series such as Sons of Anarchy, focus on a violent biker gang committing indictable offences varying from theft, drug trafficking and even first degree murder but what many don’t consider is the idea that organized crime as seen in this series occur today in places not so far from home. What is organized crime? By definition in the Criminal Code of Canada, organized crime is “a group, however organized, that: (a) is composed of three or more persons in or outside Canada; and, (b) has as one of its main purposes or main activities the facilitation or commission of one or more serious offences, that, if committed, would likely result in the direct or...
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...riders are law-abiding citizens who enjoy motorcycles as a hobby or form of transportation. Some enthusiasts even belong to clubs or groups devoted to motorcyclists; for example, an estimated 230,000 riders belong to the American Motorcyclist Association, one of the largest motorcycle clubs in the United States. What I will be talking about today is a small portion of motorcycle clubs that function as gangs and engage in a variety of deviant behavior and criminal activities. Individual members of such clubs proudly call themselves “One Percenters,” a nick name that originated from a comment made by the American Motorcycle Association that “99% of bikers follow the law.”! ! In an article; Leathers and Rolexs: The Symbolism and Values of the Motorcycle Club by! James F. Quinn and Craig J. Forsyth wrote “It is difficult to distinguish a modern one percenter from other bikers unless the patch is present. Further, the core traits of one percenters and their clubs are merely the extreme of a continuum that runs from law-abiding to crime immersed and from the countercultural gang member to the sophisticated subcultural entrepreneur.”! ! There are 4 distinct types of offending that can be observed with these groups:! Spontaneous expressive acts, which are typically violent crimes that arise between rivals in social settings and are committed by small numbers rather than the entire group, such as bar fights. Planned expressive acts, are usually committed against rivals and may...
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...The Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation, also known as the one percenters, standout amongst the most modern organized crime syndicate rings globally, with one hundred and twelve chapters established across twenty different countries. They hold eleven chapters just in Canada, five of which are in British Columbia, five in Quebec and a single charter in Halifax. Establishing their presence from coast to coast demonstrates that they aspire to dominate the entire country. Due to their nature of tenacity, the Hells Angels find it quite simple to overwhelm the weak law policing in this country. And in combination with their crafty advancements they are unseen by the public. The sole endeavors that we see these gangs engage in are deceitful fundraiser along with fictitious commercials that lionize their persona and ideology. The Hell’s Angels are not a mere media chimera, although the media portrayal is not always dependably accurate (Sheptycki, J., 2005). With the aid of the media, these biker gangs have pulled the wool over public’s eyes, diverting its attention to fraudulent aspects while they continue to multiply and overrun society from the...
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...media portrayal, expose myths, and elucidate motorcycle club culture.*1 The literature reveals gaps which leave many unanswered questions: Where do outlaw motorcycle clubs come from? How did they start? How or why did they evolve into alleged international crime organizations? The few histories of outlaw motorcycle organizations date the origins of such clubs to around 1947 and tend to oversimplify the issues of why these clubs formed and who actually joined them. Histories such as these are built on foundations of weak evidence, rendering inconsequential the origins of the subculture and relegating members of early organizations to the marginal status of “malcontents on the edge of society, and other antisocial types who just wanted to raise hell” (Valentine 147). This article extends current research by reaching back nearly half a century before 1947 to link the dawn of motorcycle organizations with the present reality of outlaw motorcycle clubs. The overarching goal of the article is to offer a more comprehensive history, an evolutionary history that may allow for a better understanding of contemporary motorcycle subculture. What follows is a taxonomy of social and historical factors affecting group formation of motorcycle clubs according to the following temporal classification: 1. Preformative period: 1901-1944, the genesis of social organization around motorcycling 2. Formative period: 1945-1957, social and historical events of the post-World War II era coalesced in...
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...the early days of the group in the1960’s Hell’s Angels has been prominent throughout California with their leather-jacketed who got their reputation by terrorizing entire towns with their weapons of choice like lead pipes and bike chains. A simple gang has not been their true nature from early on. According to a Time Magazine article published in 1979, the Hell’s Angels had turned into a business conglomerate when it came to drugs and weapons smuggling. These illicit activities of the past have continued with not much change. They grew in infamy starting in San Francisco, when eighteen members were indicted on a series of charges. The gang was charged with the trafficking an extensive amount of illegal drugs to include heroin, cocaine, LSD and speed. The practices of the gang members protecting their share of this lucrative criminal market by murdering and threatening to commit murder of anyone that interfered with their business practices were also brought to light through these charges. The indictment was a result of a two year probe into the San Francisco charters. With the gang having charters all over the country let alone transnational charters it can only be imagined how far their illicit business extends. Drug trafficking remains the primary source of illicit income for the Hells Angels to date. Along with the other illicit activities the group is involved in, such as prostitution, fraud and extortion. The Hells Angels are known to traffic numerous drugs, including LSD...
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...Irvin Hells Angels are a motorcycling club. The motorcycling gang was organized by several War World II veterans. The name originated from the 1938 movie “Hell’s Angels”. The founders took the brutal and efficient reputation of the squadrons and deiced it would go well with their club’s mentality. In 1948, the first Hells Angels chapter was formed in San Bernardino. In 1954, the next chapter was created in San Francisco and a third in Oakland in 1957. Thanks to Ralph Hubert, the founder of the Oakland chapter, Hells Angels expanded nationwide. Over the past 30 years, Hells Angels has continued to expand. Before one can start to understand what being a Hells Angel is about, it’s essential that one understands the role of the Harley Davison motorcycle. The Harley Davison is an American icon of freedom and power. American built with American iron, it’s a statement of all things American. The bikes are big, powerful, and flashy. The army utilized the bikes in World War II so they already had a special place the hearts of the founding members of the Angels. As the company expanded and engineered more and more powerful machines the desire for a “hog” kept increasing as well. Currently, Hells Angels claims 3000 to 3500 members and more than 230 chapters in 27 countries. Membership has increased by 10% annually during the past five years. In the United States, HAMC is active throughout the country. Due to the international scope of the organization, Hells Angels are able to...
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...Motorcycle Gangs: From Outlaws to Any Joe Throughout history any person that rode a motorcycle was considered an outlaw or some sort of bad ass. The beginning days of motorcycle gangs weren’t the everyday Joe that had a nine to five job. These people were in their own class and were feared by anyone that crossed their path, but times have changed. Now anyone can ride a motorcycle without being labeled as a deviant outlaw. From the 1950 to today, the world has changed their perspect on a person that rides a motorcycle. Motorcycle gangs began after the veterans of World War Two returned home. Many of the return veterans started to ride motorcycles to feel the excitement that replaced the emotions from the war. On 4th of July 1946 the American Motorcycle Association held a motorcycle event in the small city of Hollister, California. At that time there were two motorcycle gangs that were know as the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington and the other gang was known as the Market Street Commandoes (CTGIA). The small city was filled with bikers and the police department consisted of only seven officers. The night got rowdy and the officers arrested one of the P.O.B.O.B. The gang ordered the police to release their fellow member and when they refused, the gang tore the city apart. This one event created history for motorcycle gangs because from that day on their will always be a July 4th run and the one percent image came into play. The Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington...
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...Motorcycle Clubs People drive everyday whether it is to or from work, running errands or traveling and during this time it is very possible to have seen a group of motorcycle riders traveling together. Many people believe motorcycle clubs are gangs and its members are angry, intimidating and violent people looking for trouble. In reality most clubs and their members are every day, upstanding citizens that have families and productive jobs who just like to ride and socialize with similar individuals who share the same passion. History can be traced all the way back to 1903 in New York where The Federation of American Motorcyclist was organized to protect the rights and address issues important to motorcycle riders. Due to an increase of popularity and riders, on November 15, 1916 The Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association was established to represent and regulate the motorcycle manufacturers and accessory makers and distributors. Eventually the FAM ended and the M&ATA began registering riders and sponsoring events and by early 1924 it claimed to have over 10,000 members. On May 15 the M&ATA proposed to create the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) division which would control rider registration and activities, issue sanctions for national events and serve motorcycle industry members. Motorcycle Clubs or MCs started forming around World War II era, one of the earliest and possible first club was the Outlaws Motorcycle Club established in 1935 in...
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...at one time in history the black leather jacket reflected a statement of the bad boy, the rebel, the greaser, and gangs. The black leather jacket stemmed from the original World War II Brown Bomber Jacket. Pilots were issued a standardized brown bomber jackets also know as the A-2 flight jackets. These jackets were made out of horsehide and lined with a heavy fleece, designed to keep the pilots warm due an open cockpit and changing climate conditions experienced while flying. Another flight jacket that was issued in the service was the B3 Bomber Jacket made out of sheepskin. These bomber jackets became poplar with not only the pilots, but all different divisions of the US Military. Military men could have patches stitched on they jacket representing their rank and your division. Wearing theses bomber jackets not only represented a strong military man, it represented power and prestige. Of course the bomber jacket became even more popular with a 1957 movie “Night Passage”, staring Jimmy Stewart, wearing a brown bomber jacket. But when the movie “The Wild One” hit the movie screens in 1953 staring Marlin Brando wearing a white t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a Black Leather Jacket, this was when the black leather jacket made it day beau! Marlin Brando played a character named Johnny who was the leader of a motorcycle club. In the movie Johnny and his gang ride along the open highway, free as birds, they decided to stop in a quiet little town were their...
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...Hollister and the Death of Family Riding Michael Batterman EN 1320 ITT Technical Institute Instructor, Kenneth Frawley August 9, 2013 Hollister and the Death of Family Riding In 1947 a riot occurred that caused authorities to say, "The trouble was caused by the 1% deviant that tarnishes the public image of both motorcycles and motorcyclists.” –Anonymous. In response most bikers sum up their feeling this way, “A 1%er is the one of a hundred of us who have given up on society, So stay out of our face. If you don’t think this way then walk away.” These quotes sum up the world of the outlaw biker. The first is a short attempt to explain away the mess in Hollister California 1947, the second is a subtle warning to walk away or face violence. In 1947 a small town in Central California named Hollister became the center point of the motorcycle world. This little town with a population of about 4,500 (US Census 1947) hosted an American Motorcycle Association (AMA) event that would forever change society’s perception of bikers and the world in which they live in. This normally quiet town’s peaceful record was shattered by violence and destruction changing the world of the motorcyclists forever. This of course is the media’s dramatic account of the episode. Pushed by American news agencies, that stereotype led to the formation of the Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs, and their integration into our society. One bit of dramatic licensing led to the formation of a billion...
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...ORGANIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION "Yes, Mr. Hoover, there is a Mafia" (Rudy Giuliani) Organized crime is in a class by itself. It's big, it's powerful, it's well-connected, and highly profitable. Mafia is the most common term used to describe the more profitable criminal organizations around the world, but other terminology exists, such as: international criminal organizations (military usage); transnational crime (United Nations usage); and enterprise crime (FBI usage). As the term is utilized in criminology, it refers to any (or all) of six (6) different types of crime: (1) crime as business, which includes white collar crime as well as various forms of corruption; (2) offenses involving works of art, counterfeiting, or other cultural artifacts; (3) crime associated with the distribution and sale of narcotics as well as other contraband substances; (4) crime associated with human migration or sex trafficking including various forms of prostitution; and (5) crime involving contract murder or for-hire use of force, mostly deadly force; and (6) various forms of computer crime involving identity theft and/or other large-scale financial frauds. No one-sentence conceptual definition exists, and a very useful webpage can be found on the Internet devoted to the Many Definitions of Organized Crime. There are known characteristics of organized crime, such as corruption, violence, sophistication, continuity, structure, discipline, ideology (or lack thereof), multiple enterprises...
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...purchase motorcycles upon returning home, as they enjoyed riding during the war and wanted to continue riding in their civilian life. This generation known as the "baby-boomers" quickly became the main target audience for many of Harley-Davidson’s marketing efforts. With sales increasing and the industry growing, many "motorcycle clubs" and "rallies" were introduced. Unfortunately, due to the lewd behavior displayed by most people associated with these clubs and rallies, bikers typically had an image of being disorderly and raucous. Harley-Davidson’s image itself took a big shot due to the Hells Angels. This was a motorcycle gang wishing to become notorious for "drug trafficking and other organized crime activities," who used only Harley-Davidson motorcycles. All of this combined to lead to a decline in demand and sales throughout the entire industry during the 1960’s. The industry was really helped out with the release of the Hollywood film Easy Rider in 1969. This film helped change the public’s perception of bikers and sparked an increase in motorcycle demand which has lasted to this day. The motorcycle industry offers products which can be viewed as luxuries or wants as opposed to necessities. When concerning Harley-Davidson, most motorcycle owners have purchased their bikes as a second vehicle, using them more during weekends and off-time instead of during the work week. This implies that the motorcycles serve for recreational purposes and thus are an item which can be expendable...
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...body, two wheels move the soul” is an anonymous quote that carries significant meaning to motorcycle riders. Often times motorcycle enthusiasts can be heard telling someone that drives a car or a truck to “get out of the cage.” There is a sense of freedom and independence when riding a motorcycle. For thousands upon thousands of people around the world one name comes to mind when talking about motorcycles. That name is Harley-Davidson (H-D). Even to the “non-rider” the name Harley-Davidson is often the first brand thought of when motorcycles are mentioned. Sometimes the thoughts might conjure a thought of open plains and the wind whipping through your hair. Other times the thoughts might be more sinister like the Hells Angels or other violent motorcycle gangs. One thing is certain; the Harley-Davidson “bar & shield” logo is one of the most known logos across the United States and possibly the world. Harley-Davidson has not always had the success and customer loyalty that they have today. The success that H-D has recently enjoyed can be strongly tied to its service-minded attitude and almost cult-like customer base. This paper will take a closer look at the culture of Harley-Davidson by looking at the norms, beliefs, and values of Harley-Davidson as a company, some of its enthusiasts, and why H-D will continue to prosper for years and years to come. Organizational culture is a topic that many leaders in today’s business world are not able to define. Culture is defined...
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...John Smith English Composition Morals According to the English dictionary, the definition of morals is as follows: “of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong”. The way we as human beings interprets this is entirely based on our community, religion, parents, government, and the society we were raised in. But what really defines what a moral is? Who’s to say that this is right and wrong? How do other cultures view our morals compared to theirs? These are but just a few questions I will be addressing in this essay. Let’s start from the beginning and break down some of the key components of this definition. Pertaining to the rules or principles of what’s right and wrong. In the United States what we consider morally right and wrong is determined by our government and the court systems. If we plunge deeper into this topic we can take into account our religious up-bringing, the views of our parents and friends, what we see and hear from the media. What was morally wrong fifty years ago is now on everyday television and exposed to children day after day. Fifty years ago women were shunned from their families and friends if they were to sleep with one person promiscuously. Now men and women are taught to sleep with multiple partners to determine if you are sexually satisfied and can see yourself being with only that person for the rest of your life. If you look at Muslamic culture, women have absolutely...
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...raucous. Harley-Davidson’s image itself took a big shot due to the Hells Angels. This was a motorcycle gang wishing to become notorious for "drug trafficking and other organized crime activities," who used only Harley-Davidson motorcycles. All of this combined to lead to a decline in demand and sales throughout the entire industry during the 1960’s. The industry was really helped out with the release of the Hollywood film Easy Rider in 1969. This film helped change the public’s perception of bikers and sparked an increase in motorcycle demand which has lasted to this day. The motorcycle industry offers products which can be viewed as luxuries or wants as opposed to necessities. When concerning Harley-Davidson, most motorcycle owners have purchased their bikes as a second vehicle, using them more during weekends and off-time instead of during the work week. This implies that the motorcycles serve for recreational purposes and thus are an item which can be expendable at times. This has hurt the industry recently with the slight recession the United States economy is facing. Another interesting thing to note about the motorcycle industry is the different appeal bikes carry in different global regions. In the United States for instance, Harley-Davidson has had much success because of the market trends and tastes people enjoy. Harley-Davidson has benefited from a U.S. market which enjoys casual and recreational riding. This isn’t necessarily the case overseas, as in Europe the trendy...
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