In the wacky world of Atlantic City, there's a very fine line between criminals and politicians. We don't even mean that metaphorically—throughout the city's history, criminals have been protected by the local government. Weird, huh? This unique relationship is integral to the development of Atlantic City, shaping the political machine that dominates the region for over fifty years. We're not just talking about Mafiosos and politicians either—as we see in Boardwalk Empire, tons of regular folk just like us eventually become dependent on criminal enterprises to survive. Where's Batman when you need him?
Questions About Criminality
- Why does organized crime flourish in Atlantic City?
- Is Atlantic City better off now that gambling has gone corporate? Explain.
- What is the effect of Prohibition on Atlantic City's criminals?
- Why do the major national crime bosses want to meet in Atlantic City? Explain.