Comparing and Contrasting Organized Crime: China, Russia, Japan, Mexico, and the United States

by Elizabeth Hall

Introduction

Frank Costello, American mobster, testifying before the Kefauver Committee investigating organized crime (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (2012), reports that organized crime is a problem on a global scale that has many adverse effects on society, including risking peace and prosperity, human safety, and the “economic, social, cultural, political, and civil development” of the countries that have large organized crime groups operating within.  It has permeated society through intimidation, entrance into governmental positions, and bribery, to traffic in persons, firearms, and narcotics, along with the facilitation of money laundering and extreme violence.  This form of crime has grown exponentially with the ease that technology affords us to conduct transactions on a global scale.   Through corruption, extortion, and bribery this undermines legal systems on a global scale and delivers extreme power to organized crime bosses in many countries (Obama, 2011).  In this essay, we will compare and contrast the difference and similarities in the organizations that infiltrate China, Russia, Japan, Mexico, and the United States to determine global effects (UNODC, 2012).

Human trafficking. Main origin (red) and destination countries (blue). Data from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2006 report (http://www.unodc.org/pdf/traffickinginpersons_report_2006-04.pdf) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

China

Organized crime in China has cultural ties in the fact that in China allegiance to family and friends is the most important quality in society and must be adhered to (Abadinsky, 2009).  The Chinese society itself is hierarchal as is the structure of organized crime, which operates in the patron client style organization. The Triads comprised of secret societal Chinese clans is the name of the groups of organized criminals represented by the triangle, and the Chinese three pronged concepts of heaven, earth, and man.  They participated in armed robberies, kidnapping, and piracy in the earlier going.  In modern years, the Triads and Tongs have added extortion, human trafficking, and drug trafficking along with other criminal enterprises, such as gambling and prostitution, to their repertoire.  In the United States, the Triad offshoot, is known as the Tongs and are heavily involved in gambling and prostitution.  The tongs are linked to smaller Asian gangs as well (Abadinsky, 2009). 

Russia

English: Structure about Organized Crime Central Area from Police of the Generalitat - Mossos d'Esquadra. Català: Organigrama de l'Àrea Central de Crim Organitzat de la Policia de la Generalitat - Mossos d'Esquadra. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the most notable things to remember about Russian organized crime is that geographically it is Russian because of the history of countries overtaken and the sheer mass of the continent, but many nationalities, and ethnic groups comprise the term Russian organized crime (Abadinsky, 2009).  These nationalities include Chechen, Georgian, Jewish, and Ukrainian to name a few. The communist practices undermined the work ethic in the country, making organized crime more palatable to the common people and for many are necessary for survival.  The structure is that of a bureaucratic corporate model more than a patron client model although it is a looser system based on clans and the Vory.  When the Soviet Union stopped providing funding for professional sports the athletes turned to organized crime as well. Operation in the United States by Russian organized crime is a much looser framework with no loyalty among members, and they are very prone to turning on each other if caught to avoid the heavy sentences under the RICO Act (Abadinsky, 2009)

Organised crime - cash flow (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the Soviet Union disbanded so did the formal law enforcement structure once utilized in the country leaving wide gaps in the system, and organized crime groups took full advantage merging their way into government and military, often having law enforcement on the payroll reports Abadinsky (2009).  Because the system is based on relationship and status along with governmental participation to some aspect, crimes are not necessarily punishable depending on the players involved.  This is in part due to the extreme violence that follows someone challenging authority of the group. There is some likeness to the Latin drug cartels in operational standards. Russian organized crime groups traffic in narcotics, human trafficking, money laundering, and infiltrate legitimate business ventures to operate.  There are three tiers to the structure, the Gruppirovki, who are bands of professional criminals operating as cells, the Prestupnaia, who are the middle level criminals comprised of the controller level, and finally, the central command center comprised of the Soobschestvo (Abadinsky, 2009).

List of criminal gangs in Los Angeles, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Japan

Organized crime in Japan goes back to the at least 300years beginning with the boryokudan groups, Yamagichi-Gumi, Kazou Taoka, and other groups states Abadinsky(2009).  The first criminals operating under these groups were displaced samurai needing a new mode of survival after Japan converted government to a centralized model.  Yamagichi-Gumi and others called the samurai yakuza, which translates into good for nothing, and each organized crime group have their own yakuza soldiers to carry out their deeds.  They are heavily tattooed and if they have committed any acts the yakuza deem wrong lose a part of their pinky finger.  Because of the control extended in declining to kill innocents, or even law enforcement members, the yakuza can conduct their business out in the open, even having headquarters with specific signage displayed.

 Initiation and promotion in the groups involves money given to the cause and an elaborate sake ritual instead of familial ties (Abadinsky, 2009).  Most of the soldiers come from backgrounds of poverty and are not well educated.  A lower ranking member of the yakuza may have to take the place of a boss who is charged with a crime, and serve the sentence given regardless of whether it means prison time or not.  This is a bureaucratic system, which operates for monetary gain and power.  This system is complete, with scouts who search local hangouts in order to recruit members to the group, which begin on the lower rungs of the ladder (Abadinsky, 2009).  

Mexico

English: Organized crime brochure (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to Abadinsky (2009), Mexican culture and government functions like the Italians with patron-client relationships based on deep-seated immediate and extended familial ties.  This cultural effect along with accepted practices of governmental corruption affords organized criminal groups great power over the country, which is populated by approximately 100 million people, most living in extreme poverty. Obama (2011) notes that Mexican organized crime groups are growing exponentially expanding their operations to include smuggling of narcotics, persons, and weapons into the United States, and creating a large threat and extreme violence in our border towns.  Other criminal operations include extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and increased cooperation with terrorist groups, including those in the Middle East (Obama, 2011). 

The Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (MDTO), known as cartels are extremely violent, family run operations controlling most of the country through offering employment and necessities to the poor population (Abadinsky,2009).  Law enforcement are poorly paid and offered the chance to line their pockets by doing the cartel’s work. Because of the location, these organizations have formed ties with other South and Central American organized crime groups to facilitate narco-trafficking into the United States and other countries, particularly the Columbians who are responsible for most of the cocaine trafficking with some originating in Peru as well (Abadinsky, 2009). 

Differences in Organized Crime

English: Taggings of M-18 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Differences in organized crime include structural differences, governmental influences, and cultural differences (Obama, 2011).  For example, in the United States organized crime has never been government sanctioned however, in Russia the government plays an integral part of the organizations.  Structural difference is also a huge factor as the Chinese and Mexicans use a patron client system much like the original organized crime groups in the United States, whereby Russia and Japan operate under the bureaucratic corporate style operation.  The style of organization denotes the rules and practices of the operation along with the cultural aspect, which also ties into differences.  China, the United States, and Mexico cultures denote family and friends as important ties to the organization, where the Japanese and Russians have less loyalty to these values and money is the most important factor in consideration (Obama, 2011).

Similarities in Organized Crime

In all areas of organized crime, there are also similarities, for example, they all operate to gain financial benefit and power even if the basis for doing so is different (UNDOC, 2012).  They all seem to traffic in narcotics, launder money, and gain influence over government officials through bribery and extortion. Another similarity is that they are rapidly gaining influence and power as the tools of crime are advanced by technology.  All of these groups have leaders, mid-level managers, and grunts or foot soldiers, and have methods for promotion within (UNDOC, 2012).

Conclusion

Norteños (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Through corruption, extortion, and bribery organized crime undermines legal systems on a global scale and delivers extreme power to organized crime bosses in many countries (Obama, 2011).  UNDOC (2012) reports that the growing global effect of organized crime undermines governments and stability most in countries where money laundering and exploitation of humans by trafficking, sex trade, and labor runs rampant such as in Russia. Other countries populous rely on narcotics to survive because of lack of available gainful employment like the countries of Central and South America whose populous is so poor without these “jobs” would starve.  In the last two decades, transnational crime has become so strong that often three or more countries maybe involved in a single transaction such as with human trafficking where the victim may come from Russia, transported through Mexico, and, sold into sex trafficking slavery in the United States, due to the increase in technological tools such as the internet.  In short, UNDOC (2012) notes that transnational organized crime has grown into such large proportions that it can no longer be combated in individual countries, crosses all cultural, social ,and language barriers along with any geographical borders, and consequently must be fought on multinational fronts. 

References:

Abadinsky, H. (2009).  Organized crime (9th Ed.).  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
ISBN: 0-495-59966-2

Obama, B.H., (2011).  Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime: Addressing Converging Threats to National Security.  Retrieved From:  

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Strategy_to_Combat_Transnational_Organized_Crime_July_2011.pdf

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), (2012).  Organized Crime.  Retrieved From:  https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/organized-crime/index.html

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Water Damage Vancouver BC - Strata or Home Insurance Coverage?

Water damage can be one of the most devastating and stressful events for homeowners, especially when people are caught off guard. Insurance policies are sure to exclude different types of water damage, but what types exactly? If your home is rattled by a flash flood, will your home insurance policy provide flood insurance coverage? What about drainage or leakage problems, will these be covered or excluded by your insurance policy?

Both home and Strata insurance work for a variety of water damage claims, but you need to be aware of exactly what types. Water damage insurance can cover most, if not all of your water problems in a specific infrastructure, so continue reading below to discover how both home and Strata insurance work to cover water damage and water restoration.

There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to home insurance policies and water damage. To clear these up, you need to know what your home insurance covers. If your house is damaged by a flood and you live in a flood plain, your home insurance might not provide flood restoration coverage, but if you've got roof leakage problems due to wind damage, it likely will cover you, but be sure to check these details with your insurer! Remember is this rule of thumb: if damage is caused by your negligence and failure to maintain your house, your home insurance policy will not provide you with water restoration coverage.

If you live in a Strata building, the Strata insurance will come into play when the water damage involves the building structure in any way. For simplicity sake, remember that any upgrades you have done to the flooring, fixtures and walls inside your unit, in addition to your personal contents are covered by your home insurance. Anything that is part of the structure is covered by Strata insurance.

When you speak to your insurance agent regarding your home insurance, it is a good idea to take a copy of your strata insurance with you so they can help you determine whether there are any gaps in coverage that you should add to your home policy. The most common gap in coverage is with the Strata policy deductible, which usually is at least $5000 or more per claim. So make sure you have coverage on your home policy to cover the cost of the Strata deductible, otherwise you will be stuck paying your home deducting as well as the strata deductible a costly proposition.

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Responding to Crime and Accident Scenes: Equipping Yourself as a Crime Scene Photographer

by Elizabeth Hall

Introduction

CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS / @CSI?cafe (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to Robinson (2010), crime scene photography is a key evidence retainer for any type of crime scene, accident, or case that occurs in the photographer’s jurisdiction.  A crime scene or accident scene are always photographed to preserve a fair and accurate representation of the incident for police records and the court system.  Many factors can affect the quality of crime scene photographs, including type of evidence, time of day, lighting, using the proper settings for each separate photograph, having the right equipment, and knowing how to properly document the photographic evidence to maintain the integrity of the evidence to name a few.   A properly trai

ned and prepared photographer can make the difference in winning or losing a case.  In this essay, we will look at two different scenarios, involving different times of day and circumstances to document with photographic evidence, a midday accident scene with both injury and death, and a nighttime robbery with a shooting injury, weather considerations, and several different types of evidence and discuss the parameters of the photographic evidence.     

Scenario and Equipment

English: Photo of dust residue impression left on the floor of a crime scene. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Officer Jones is a crime scene photographer working a long shift beginning at 11:00 a.m. and ending at 11:00 p.m. because the department is understaffed and he could use the overtime.  He begins his shift by going through his camera bag to make sure he has the right equipment.  Staggs (2005) holds that the basic camera equipment needed to ensure the best quality photographs for any type of scene of course begin with the camera, which should be a 35mm and a high-resolution digital camera too.  From there the bag should include a 50mm lens, a wide-angle lens such as a 28mm, macro lens, 1:1 adapter, extension tubes, reversing ring, and close up filters.  Other equipment should include red, yellow, blue, green, and orange filters, electronic flash, and a remote sync cord that is used when the flash is utilized separately from the camera (Staggs 2005).

 Even more equipment for the basic bag includes extra batteries, locking cable releases, a tripod, and extra film in color notes Staggs (2005), UV, and black and white for different types of evidence and lighting needs.  This bag is not fully stocked yet, still needed are the owners’ manuals for all pieces of equipment, a notebook and pen, scaling material such as rulers, numbered pieces for distance and evidence markers, ABFO # 2 scale for photographs of injuries, flashlight, grey card for exposure accuracy, index cards, and finally a felt pen.

Now onto other equipment that may be useful to the photographer, such as reported by Staggs (2005), which includes lighting pieces, miscellaneous tools, and measuring instruments.  The lighting pieces are a supplementary light meter, helpful in lower lighting situations, a white handkerchief for flash diffusion, pieces such as wood blocks, clips, and clothespins to aid in holding evidence in place for close up shots.  You should also carry a 135mm telephoto lens in case you have to do any surveillance work.  For measurement a tape measure, levels, and color charts and patches for photographing and documenting injuries accurately (Staggs, 2005).  Officer Jones finishes with his bag, and waits for the first call.

First Call –Midday Accident

The first call arrives at approximately 12: 35 p.m. and is an accident scene.  The details given to dispatch are that two cars are involved, there is one fatality, and one injured party located at

Skulls on a Beach: "Currents carry many dead things to Punuk Island making it the graveyard of the Bering Sea." (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 325 Main Street.  Officer Jones heads out the door, grabbing his properly stocked camera bag on the way.  When he arrives, he talks to the first responder about what information has been found, which is proper procedure as noted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice State Crime Laboratories (WDJSCL) (2003).  The first responder informs Officer Jones, that the injured victim was taken to the hospital immediately (WDJSCL, 2003).  This is per protocol of securing the scene, which was marked off by police cars and ambulances already, and then of taking care of victims immediate medical needs (calling an ambulance to take the injured victim to the hospital), which amounted to severe head trauma.  The body has been thrown from the car by the force of the accident and rests roughly 20 feet from the collision point. 

Method of Photography

The crime scene photographer in this case OfficerJones, would decide which method would best fit the scene, which types of photographs, equipment, and where to start from here (WDJSCL, 2003).  He must take care not to move, disturb, or alter any portion of the scene until the officer in charge, in this case the first responder, releases the scene after sketching and documentation has occurred by him or her.  In this case, Officer Jones decides that it is best to photograph the scene from the outside in.  After doing a video walkthrough of the scene making sure to pan from side to side and up and down Officer Jones begins at the police cars blocking the scene near the point of collision, he is taking care to follow the cardinal rules of composition in each photograph (Robinson, 2010). 

A Crime Scene at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These are, composing the primary subject, determining the proper exposure, and focus the camera for each type of photograph, and piece of evidence (Robinson, 2010); he opens his notebook and documents the case number, date, time, location, his name, and the roll number of the film.  The first photograph he takes is of the paper that he documented for the photo identifier.  Next, he begins his photo log on the next sheet of paper documenting the same information, camera used, films ISO, and available light sources, along with the number of exposures listed in log form with sections for lens, light, shutter speed, f-stop, and description (Robinson, 2010).  Officer Jones notes on his photo log that it is a bright sunny day, and that he has electronic flash, UV, fluorescent, and natural lighting available to him.  He also notes that one of the people involved in the crash, was taken to the hospital before he arrived.  He looks around the scene, deciding that the only perishable evidence is the debris blocking the roadway in between the collision point and the police cars.

Type of Photographs

Police photo of parts of the victim (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Officer Jones goes to the debris blocking the roadway and takes several photographs using overall, mid-range, and close up shots of this evidence.  He can see that the evidence trail begins roughly 50 ft away from the point of collision, and begins to move to 70 ft away in order to properly capture the entire scene.  The ISO is set to 100 to accommodate the midday sun and manual flash should be used with an aperture of f16.  He takes some overall shots from this vantage point, taking care to get on driver eye level, and to photograph in all angles.  Walking towards the point of collision he stops at the tire marks made by the vehicle trying to stop, and takes overall, mid-range, and close up shots, but also climbing the embankment to get an aerial view of the marks. He takes four photos of each tire mark, documenting that he is using a polarizer filter due to the bright sunlight and the individual picture from each end, the perpendicular shot, and one to show the true side of the mark (Robinson, 2010).   

English: A crime scene photo admitted into evidence shows the wooded area where Caylee Anthony's body was found. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He also takes care to shoot all traffic control devices, defects and condition of the road itself, and view all possible obstructions.  He should take precaution to determine the first point of perception, actual point of perception, and the point that cannot be corrected, resulting in the accident (Robinson, 2010).  Before getting into the actual accident trauma, photos should also be taken to capture all witness vantage points.  Next Officer Jones takes close up, midrange, and overall shots of the damaged and non-damaged areas of the car.  He also takes pictures of any damage to other damage to the scene such as guardrails or other objects that may show involvement or damage.  Exterior and interior views should be shot as well, making sure to document the entire exterior of the vehicles involved (Robinson, 2010).  In the inside, dashboard controls such as the speedometer can provide valuable evidence if stuck in position, shoes of people in the accident, light filaments, paint transfers, and safety equipment should also be photographed.  Overhead and under carriage views should also be taken, as the purpose of the types of photographs vary (Robinson, 2010). 

Officer Jones then moves to the outer edge of the scene where the body was thrown, and begins to photograph it.  A midrange photo is taken to provide relation of the placement of the body to fixed points in the scene Robinson, (2010).  An isosceles triangle is the best measure for these types of photographs.  The next series is a complete body panorama.  This consists of a facial shot, from right over the body, then two more shots with a normal 50mm lens one from head to toe, and another from toe to head.  Then left and right side views should be taken notes Robinson (2010). 

Purpose of Photographs and Evidence Captured

English: Footwear impressions left at a crime scene (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to WDJSCL (2003), overall shots capture the generalities of the scene including location, general conditions of the scene, and borders.  Overall shots should include a 360-degree view, and in this case, aerial shots are required because of the distance, the body was thrown.  The midrange photos show the details of the scene, focusing on position, where evidence is laying in relation to other parts of the scene, and relation of objects.  Close up shots capture specific position and detail of evidence.  WDJSCL holds that there is also specific evidence shots utilized to record select pieces of evidence like tire impressions, footprints, and fingerprints to name a few. 

Second Call – Night Time Convenience Store Robbery with Shooting

The second call that Officer Jones takes on this shift happens around 10 o’clock p.m., and dispatch advises that it is a robbery of a Seven Eleven located at 485 Jefferson Street, shots fired.  Once again, he grabs his camera bag and heads out the door.  When he arrives, he notices that the scene is roped off, there are witnesses, and onlookers, gathering around the perimeter of the scene, and the officer in charge informs him that the suspect fled the scene before he arrived, and the victim has not been moved.  An ambulance is on the way and a light rain is present. 

English: A crime scene. . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He gets his video camera out, walking the scene panning side to side and up and down to get an overall view of everything in sight (Robinson 2010).  Officer Jones then opens his bag, hurriedly prepares a photo identifier marking the case number, date, time, location, his name, and roll number.  ISO should be set to 400 for nighttime scenes with manual flash mode to keep the reflection of the blood from affecting the picture.  He then takes the identifier picture, sets the photo log up, takes overall, midrange, and close up photos of a partial shoeprint in the store leading from the front entrance to the counter,  with a 50mm lens, and an off camera manual flash setting (Robinson, 2010).  The photo log contains the information from the photo identifier plus camera, lighting, and flash details along with a description of each photo taken.  Officer Jones then moves toward the victim to get pictures of placement and visible wounds while the clerk is still waiting on the ambulance.  He then goes outside to the perimeter of the scene, taking overall shots and vantage points of potential witnesses.  Documenting the pictures as he goes along.  Next, he takes overall and mid range pictures of the scene.  When he goes over to the counter, he notices several different types of evidence that require different techniques to photograph correctly, which we will discuss I the next section (Robinson, 2010).

Photographing Different Types of Evidence

Soldiers of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division inspecting a crime scene. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Blood spatter on wall behind counter needs to be videotaped during the walkthrough per Robinson(2010), and then Officer Jones would take both close up shots and mid range shots to document size, shape, and castoff (Schiro, n.d.).  Color or infrared film would be utilized depending if the wall were light or dark in color.  Scaled photographs should be taken as well with a ruler or coins to document the size.  Measure how high up and how low the spatter goes on the wall.  Slide film is used to capture the pattern displayed on the wall.  Be sure to include a yardstick or tape measure in this photo notes Schiro (n.d.).  Luminal can be applied around the area and UV light can make blood fluorescent when Luminal is applied and lights are turned off except the UV using ISO 400, f/5.6, and 90 seconds on the shutter speed.  One should take pictures of the same points with electronic flash as well to provide a basis for comparison and proof of original scene where blood may or may not be visible.  The same for the bloody clerk clothing, but luminal may not be necessary, as the blood will be visible (Schiro, n.d.). 

Other evidence such as a bullet casing behind counter and a medical supply bag will need to have midrange and close up photos to capture spatial and detailed records of placement, type, and size of the evidence (Robinson, 2010).  The package of cigarettes and the bottle of beer on the counter should be photographed as is first for spatial placement, then dusted for prints and photographed and documented to midrange, close up, and macro sizes.  This is done to capture the ridge detail of the fingerprints setting the lens at the closest focus point then move the camera closer to the object for close up detail using a high-resolution digital camera (Robinson, 2010). 

Conclusion

Human blood droplets. An example of a forensics photograph of an imitation crime scene. A scale by a common object (United States Quarter) has been used. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The role of the crime scene photographer is to document the scene in its entirety notes Robinson (2010).  This is done for the purpose of investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and jurors so that they may have a record throughout the entire time from discovery of the commission of a crime to the sentencing phase of a guilty verdict.  It is for this reason that crime scene photographers must know their craft, utilizing correct settings for each piece of evidence collected at a scene.  The experience and knowledge of the photographer could be the difference in a criminal going free and an innocent person jailed based on the details contained or left out in the photographic evidence. 

References:

Robinson, E.M., (2010).  Crime Scene Photography: Second Edition.  Boston, Elsevier, Academic Press. 

Schiro, G.  (n.d.).  Louisiana State Crime Laboratory.  Bloodstain Photography.  Retrieved From:  http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/phoblood.html

Staggs, S., (2005).  The Crime Scene Investigator Network.  Basic Crime Scene and Evidence Photography Kit.  Retrieved From:  http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/equip.html

Wisconsin Department of Justice State Crime Laboratories, (WDJSCL), (2003).  Physical Evidence Handbook.  Retrieved From: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/Physical_Evidence_Handbook_WI.pdf

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The Ins and Outs of Home Insurance

Very few homeowners know the ins and outs of home insurance even though this is a very important aspect of their lives, and a very critical component of their budget, too. As with everything else, it will do you well if you take the time to understand your homeowners insurance so that you are able to upgrade it, when needed, or to make a claim against it, or even to get discounts and savings from it in short, to manage it.

Let us first investigate why you need to upgrade your home insurance policy, and when. Any insurance policy will only be value-adding if it provides enough coverage for you, and an insurance that leaves you with little or no protection at all, is just as good as a non-existent insurance policy.

When you insure your home, you are asked to take stock, or audit your home, and declare the value of your home, including the structure, the furniture and appliances, and the other contents that are valuable and you want replaced if it ever was damaged. You usually do this by going through every room and listing down the valuable things and anything, really, that you would want covered against fire, or storm, or theft. You usually include here the appliances such as computers, television sets, furniture, stove, paintings, antique pieces, and sometimes even jewelry. The structure itself is valued through construction documents such as bill of materials, construction plans, and other engineering documents used to build the house. Do not think, however, that you should just declare everything inside the house and apply it for coverage remember that it will all redound to the price of the premiums that will be asked of you and so you should still exercise prudence in valuatin g the contents of your home, unless you are willing to pay for sky-high premium prices.

Over the years I am sure that you have made improvements to your home, whether with the structure (added a new room, changed the tiles, etc) or with the contents (bought a plasma TV, had stereo surround system), and if you do not upgrade your homeowners insurance policy, these improvements and additions will not be covered by the policy in case of a claim and you will be left with not enough coverage. In fact, most insurance companies will advise you to inform them of any changes you will be doing to your home that will affect your homeowners insurance policy, even before you go ahead with the changes.

Now, let us move on to how you can get potential savings from your homeowners insurance policy simply by understanding it well. Your insurance premiums are always computed based on how risky your insurer will rate your home to be, so the trick to getting less premiums, and therefore getting some savings, is to make your home less risky. The usual risks taken into consideration are the occurrence of fire and theft, and there are proven and accepted ways on how to reduce these risks.

Common practices are installing alarm systems and changing your ordinary locks into dead bolts, which will surely reduce the chances of common thieves into breaking and entering into your home. On the other hand, risk associated with fire can be reduced by installing smoke detector systems and changing your electrical wiring system to make it safer and even putting fire extinguishers in strategic places of the house can result to lower premiums. Again, the important thing is to inform your insurer of the changes you have been doing to improve your home, and if they cant adjust your policy immediately, they will do so at the next renewal period.

A home is probably one of the most important and expensive investments and assets you own, and it is only appropriate that you give it the proper importance it deserves. Do not think of scrimping on a few dollars but getting little or no protection at all for your home, you will be glad that you have invested in your home insurance plan in the long run.

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The Emergence of the Latin Kings in KY

by Elizabeth Hall 

Introduction

English: An example of common Latin Kings' vandalism - showing a crude depiction of a five-pointed crown and the saying, "Amor de Rey" (Love of the King). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to the National Gang Intelligence Center (NGTA) (2011), the trends that stand out in gang activity in the United States are statistics that show an increase in gang membership, and the increase in the control that street level gangs have over the narcotics distribution in the country.  NGTA (2011) reports that 56% of national level street gangs pose a serious to moderate threat to our country.  The Latin Kings are an entrepreneurial style national street gang operation with branches from Washington State to Washington D.C. (NGTA, 2011). 

Latin Kings Activities in KY

English: The Triangle Center development in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On a local level in Lexington, Kentucky,  Foreman (2009) notes that in October of 2009 some members of the Latin Kings went on trial for killing one of their own members for missing meetings and dating the wrong girl.  Foreman (2009) also holds that, when she arrived here in the early 1990’s, working to help law enforcement and began looking around in schools she likened the signs she saw in Kansas City shortly before gang activity exploded there.  When School Officer Jeff Smith (personal communication, December 14, 2012) is asked what is the largest organized crime group in the city, without hesitation he brings out “Latin Kings”.  Foreman (2009) reinforces that notion about t

Latin Kings graffiti of the King Master along with the abbreviations "L" and "K" on the sides. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

he school officers knowing this activity when she states that a Lexington officer informed her that the youngest member he has seen in a school environment was only nine, and this age was optimal for recruitment.  Mobley (2010), states that the gangs in Lexington tend to operate out of specific geographical locations including Cardinal Valley and now, Center Parkway where most of the Latino population reside.  They commit crimes as small as vandalism and defacement of property when they spray paint the Latin Kings graffiti to homicide as noted earlier by Foreman (2009).

Välkommen till förorten (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Attributes of Latin Kings

English: This is a picture of a Latin King showing his Latin King tattoo--a lion with a crown--and signifying the five point star with his hands, which stands for the "Almighty" in the "Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation". No one else can claim copyright ownership of his picture and the individual in this picture approves of me posting this picture; I release it to the public. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Abadinsky (2009) holds that in order for a group to qualify as organized crime eight attributes must be present.  These are that the group must possess no political agenda, is hierarchal, membership is restricted, they represent a distinctive subculture, propagates on its own, has no problems resorting to violence, tries to establish monopolies in their communities, and hold their own rules and policies. The National Drug Intelligence Center (2003) holds that the Latin Kings are a recognized prison and street gang, predominately Hispanic, share socio-economic circumstances (Mobley, 2010), and distribute narcotics along with committing violent crime.  The Latin Kings recruit and maintain their own membership despite what happens to leaders and try to maintain their territory in the 

community.  They also maintain that the gang operates under a stringent rule and agreement system to maintain order and that they are extremely hierarchal (National Drug Intelligence Center, 2003)

Importance of Emergence in KY

Català: Bandera dels Latins Kings Español: Flag of Latin Kings Español: Bandera de los Latin Kings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The importance of the Latin Kings emergence in Kentucky signals several things such as increased criminal activity in areas of the city and state, and increased violence, but also some more ominous problems such as corruption in the military bases or even local police forces as noted by the NGTA (2011).  Latin Kings have their members purposely join the police forces to stay ahead of the game by bribing or blackmailing public officials and officers, and they have members placed in the Army, Army Reserves, Navy, and Marine Corps.  When these members get out they have advanced military training to use to fight rival gangs, and, when they are serving, aid in the transnational crime of narcotics smuggling in and out of foreign countries. Latin Kings also have deep ties to the Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization (MDTO) known as the Sinaloa Cartel, which is one of the two largest cartels in Mexico.  The Latin Kings are affiliated with the people nation in the prison system and will actively recruit new members through Kentucky’s correctional system and have direct ties to the Chicago Latin Kings, which means that they will also participate in the trafficking of narcotics through the country by transporting them in and out of state lines.  Their presence also facilitates narcotics sales throughout the state.

Conclusion

English: A picture of Lexington, Kentucky taken by helicopter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Latin Kings have gained a larger presence in Kentucky, as part of the larger national problem of gang proliferation in the United States (Foreman 2009).  Influence by the Chicago based Latin Kings is felt from Washington State to Washington D.C. and the suburbs of Chicago and beyond.  This adversely affects the communities that have increased gang membership, the state of Kentucky, and the entire country as gang violence; drug crimes, and influence by the Sinaloa Cartel permeate our society through the schools, military, law enforcement, correctional systems, and neighborhoods.  Abadinsky (2009) reports of federal agents, journalists, and citizens murdered in the wake of the growth of gang influence in our border towns, along with increased violent crimes, and if the pattern ensues then it is just a matter of time until this extreme cartel violence spreads throughout the entire nation. 

References:

Abadinsky, H. (2009).  Organized crime (9th Ed.).  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
ISBN: 0-495-59966-2

Foreman, K., (2009).  Criminal Street Gangs Invested in Kentucky.  Retrieved From:  https://docjt.ky.gov/Magazines/Issue%2031/KLE_Feature-On%20the%20Street_Fall%2009.pdf

Mobley, (2010).  Ray Larson Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Episode #19 Gang Unit Presentation.  Retrieved From: http://www.lexingtonprosecutor.com/?p=3561

National Drug Intelligence Center, (2003).  Georgia Drug Threat Assessment.  Retrieved From: http://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs3/3669/overview.htm

National Gang Intelligence Center, (2011).  2011 National Gang Threat Assessment: Emerging Trends.  Retrieved From: http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment-emerging-trends

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