DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS Joint Crisis Committee: The Chicago Law Enforcement Davis Model United Nations Conference XVI May 19, 2018 - May 20, 2018 Letter from the Head Chair Hello Delegates, My name is Alexis Roberts and I will be your Head Chair for the Public Enemy Number One Committee. As your Head Chair I am honored to welcome you to the Law Enforcement against the Chicago Outfit Crisis. I am currently a Third year at UC Davis and I am studying International Relations with an emphasis in public and environmental health as well as International Agricultural Development. I have been a member of Model United Nations since my first year at UC Davis, and this will be my second-time head chairing for DMUNC. Though I am somewhat new to Model United Nations, I have grown extremely passionate about not only the thought-provoking, historical issues that are discussed during committee sessions but about the debate that is developed as well. For this reason, I hope you enjoy this intense, corrupt and crime filled crisis! I look forward to working with all of you. If you have any questions, you may contact me through my email at: [email protected]. Sincerely, Alexis Roberts Head Chair, Joint Crisis Committee, Chicago Law Enforcement, DMUNC XVI [email protected] 1 Davis Model United Nations Conference XVI May 19, 2018 - May 20, 2018 Background Information Introduction It is the roaring 20’s in Chicago, a time of economic wealth and prosperity. However, with great monetary growth, follows immense corruption. Criminals feel emboldened to take advantage of the American prohibition on alcohol and are making quite a profit from it. As the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it is your mission to stop the viral epidemic of gang violence sweeping Chicago. An estimated 1,300 gangs have sprung into existence, bringing: bank ​ robberies, kidnapping, auto theft, gambling, drug trafficking and murder. It is difficult to catch ​ the head perpetrator when there are so many. When the FBI finds one lead gang member, another one pops up. However, there is one lead gang member that the FBI has been targeting for years, and that is Al Capone. Capone is the “Hydra” of members, when one member gets caught, another three join Capone. But if the FBI and other Prohibition Officers can reach Capone, the entire alcohol distribution operation may be halted. Law enforcement efforts need to increase; constant petrol must take place in the North and South side, leaving it to FBI to find more strategies. At this time, there is little organization and efficiency within the agency (Wack). It is Hoover who has assisted in getting the FBI on its feet. One of the most important forms of identification Hoover has helped the FBI adopt is the consolidation of fingerprints. Such methods are integral in the findings of gang members and should be used extensively. To solve the hotbed of criminality, it is up to the FBI to develop modern technologies to find the perpetrators of the crime. Secretive consultations amongst politicians may also be an efficient way of tracing the gang’s footsteps. The FBI must demonstrate that the FBI is not immune to Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit bribery. From what the FBI has gathered already, Al Capone has started to 2 Davis Model United Nations Conference XVI May 19, 2018 - May 20, 2018 smuggle alcohol from Canada. The FBI’s main goal to find corrupt police and politicians, prevent expansion of gangs, cut the distribution of alcohol, trace his taxes and ultimately, prosecute Al Capone. Limited alcohol and relentless violence encapsulated the chaos that was Chicago in the 1920’s. Prohibition turned law abiding citizens into alcohol dealing criminals. Scarface, or Al Capone, became the most well known and crooked man in the underworld. National Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1923 and put the fifth largest industry in the US out of business. This would become an opportunity to formulate a lucrative career out of illegally selling and smuggling th black market alcohol for high prices. According Congressman La Guardia, the 18 ​ amendment ​ was a disaster. It had created “contempt and disregard for the law all over the country (Burns).” He was not wrong. Though the laws for alcohol changed, the demand did not, from poor to rich the population wanted alcohol, and would purchase it illegally if they had to. As this was an illegal trade, it went without taxation, the illegal nature of alcoholic production incited the police and federal law members to investigate (Burns). Capone said himself that he is “just a businessman giving the people what they want.” It wasn’t as simple as that however, this illegal production was managed by gangs and often resulted in insurmountable violence and corruption. Much of the profit from bootlegging went to Capone himself, other leading gang members, as well as corrupt law enforcement officials, as without them, carrying out the business would have been impossible (Binder). In Chicago, the “growing anti-vice movement pressured police into cracking down on the city’s vice districts before WW1, but under major William Thompson 3 Davis Model United Nations Conference XVI May 19, 2018 - May 20, 2018 became an ‘open town’(Burns).’” Because of Thompson’s disregard to justice, the city of Chicago became easily susceptible to bootlegging and gang related violence. Big Jim Colosimo controlled a gambling ring and brothels, just south downtown. His empire swelled. Capone was recruited as business increased in Chicago. When prohibition started in 1920, Capone and Torrio saw this as a fantastic economic opportunity. Colosimp on the other hand, thought business was good enough at the club. Al Capone hired his former New York Boss, Frankie Yale was hired to do much of the killing. Big Jim was killed in the lobby of him own club in 1920. This would become an essential trend for the FBI to look out for, as each killing was planned deliberate, and consisted of witnesses who just couldn’t seem to remember (Biography.com). The Role of Media in Capone’s Legacy One of Capone’s greatest tools was his utilization of the media. He had a firm grasp over the newspaper and journalism, which shaped his image. Capone believed that the people who read about him in the news paper were most likely too “stupid” to question it (Burns). Unlike other mobsters, Capone was not concerned about being a public member, in fact his face arose in sports pages and often described as a Robinhood-type figure. Capone was in everyone’s pockets, from barbers to politicians, Capone reigned supreme (Burns). According to Capone, he never wanted to be a criminal, but rather a Robin-Hood type heroin. Being called a criminal was insulting to him, as he saw himself as much more than that. He considered himself a cultured man, indulging in the finer things in life, only making staunch 4 Davis Model United Nations Conference XVI May 19, 2018 - May 20, 2018 evidence on whereabouts more difficult for the police. Many people only believed in Capones nature, and if they knew anything about his business, they blamed it on his henchmen, and not Al Capone himself (Biography.com). From bootlegging to big business, Capone modeled his work after his predecessor Torio, who taught him the ways of Chicago and how to make deals with the police. The supply was closely controlled, from breweries to backyard stills, which provided the goods for illegal bars. According to Johnson Capone brought in sales on average 120 million from liquor, prostitution and gambling, such actions were able to be accomplished because of Al Capone’s system of business. With so many workers and gang members involved in the operation, it was difficult for the FBI and CIA to trace Capone’s every move. Capone was guaranteed safety from the law, by bribing police and politicians. According to Capone stated that at some point, 50% of the police worked for him, which was a huge part of his operation (Biography.com). In 1922, Capone was in a car accident when intoxicated, and slammed into a taxi driver. He continued to pull out his gun and threaten the taxi driver while wavering around a fake Sheriff’s badge. When the real police showed up, Capone was arrested. Arguing that he could fix the mess he caused, he was let go soon after (Biography.com). Death of O’Banion Dean O’Banion the Florist-Gangster, was killed by Frankie Yale along with two other hitmen. th This is because he tried to swindle Torrio and Capone on a trade deal. On May 19 ,​ Torrio was ​ arrested for a prohibition raid O’Banion was aware of. This was the catalyst for inner gang 5 Davis Model United Nations Conference XVI May 19, 2018 - May 20, 2018 warfare in Chicago. Two of O’Banions members tried to avenge their boss, and in doing so ambushed Torrio. Al Capone escaped, but Torri was badly injured, but still sent to prison. In March, Torrio relinquished his title as head mobster, and handed his title down to Al Capone. According to the police, Capone sought refuge in a hotel, with secret tunnels that would allow for his quick escape. Capone made sure he always had the best security, never going anywhere alone. When the gangs encroached on each other’s turfs, it often resulted in gunfire and death. 1927 was a great year for Capone, as his smuggling and gambling business brought in around 105 million dollars that year (Johnson). Big Bill Thompson, Capone’s friend, was elected as mayor of Chicago, achieving more political influence for Capone.