Boardwalk Empire: A History of Atlantic City's Criminal Underbelly

Prologue:

"The sidewalks of New York are as safe as the streets of Atlantic City." - Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of the United States

Atlantic City, a seaside resort town in southern New Jersey, has a long and storied history intertwined with organized crime. In the early 20th century, during the Prohibition Era, the city became a haven for bootleggers, gamblers, and other illicit activities.

Chapter 1: The Birth of a Criminal Empire

Enoch "Nucky" Johnson

The rise of Atlantic City's criminal empire can be traced back to the early 1880s, when Louis Kuehnle, a German immigrant, established a saloon and gambling den on the city's boardwalk. Kuehnle's success attracted the attention of other criminal figures, including Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, a Republican politician who became the city's "boss" in the 1910s.

Johnson established a vast network of illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, and protection rackets. He controlled the city's police force and political system, creating a climate of corruption and impunity.

Chapter 2: The "Roaring Twenties" and Prohibition

The passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919, which prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol, had a profound impact on Atlantic City. The city became a major center for bootlegging, with Johnson and other criminals smuggling alcohol from Canada and other countries.

Prohibition also led to a surge in gambling and other illegal activities. Speakeasies proliferated throughout the city, and Johnson became one of the largest casino operators in the country.

Chapter 3: The "Gang Wars" and the Decline of Empire

As the Prohibition Era continued, rival criminal gangs began to emerge in Atlantic City, challenging Johnson's dominance. These gangs, including the D'Agostino Brothers and the Gyp Rosetti gang, engaged in violent conflicts for control of the city's illicit businesses.

In 1931, Johnson was convicted on bootlegging charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His absence created a power vacuum in Atlantic City, leading to a further escalation of violence.

Chapter 4: The Aftermath of Prohibition

The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 marked the end of the "Golden Age" of Atlantic City's criminal empire. However, organized crime continued to play a role in the city, with gambling and other illegal activities becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread.

Chapter 5: The "Modern Era" of Organized Crime

In the post-World War II era, Atlantic City's criminal underworld underwent a transformation. Traditional mob syndicates, such as the Luciano-Genovese crime family, established a presence in the city, controlling gambling, prostitution, and other illicit businesses.

However, in the 1970s and 1980s, the city's criminal landscape was shaken by the rise of new criminal groups, including the Russian Mob and the Jamaican Posse. These groups competed for control of the city's drug trade and other criminal activities.

Epilogue:

Today, Atlantic City continues to struggle with the legacy of its criminal past. Organized crime remains a problem, although law enforcement efforts have reduced its influence in the city. The city's casinos and other tourist attractions provide significant revenue, but they also attract criminal elements.

As Atlantic City looks to the future, it faces the challenge of balancing economic development with the need for a safe and corruption-free environment.

Important Figures and Statistics:

• Enoch "Nucky" Johnson: Boss of Atlantic City from the 1910s to 1931, convicted on bootlegging charges in 1931.
• Louis Kuehnle: German immigrant who established the first saloon and gambling den on Atlantic City's boardwalk in the early 1880s.
• Population of Atlantic City: 46,597 (1920), 64,094 (1940), 32,254 (2020).
• Number of casinos in Atlantic City: 9 (2023)
• Revenue generated by casinos in Atlantic City: $2.4 billion (2022)
• Crime rate in Atlantic City: 6,582.8 crimes per 100,000 people (2022)

Tables:

Table 1: Prohibition and Crime in Atlantic City

Table 2: Atlantic City's Casinos

Table 3: Crime Rate in Atlantic City vs. Other Cities

Tips and Tricks for Staying Safe in Atlantic City:

• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night.
• Keep valuables out of sight and carry your belongings close to you.
• Report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
• Avoid gambling with strangers or in unlicenced establishments.
• Only take drinks from trusted sources and never leave them unattended.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Assuming that Atlantic City is a safe city.
• Getting involved in illegal activities or gambling with strangers.
• Ignoring suspicious activity or persons.
• Drinking excessively or leaving belongings unattended.

Why Matters and How Benefits:

Understanding the history of organized crime in Atlantic City is important for several reasons:

• It provides insight into the complexities of organized crime and its impact on society.
• It raises awareness of the dangers of corruption and illegal activities.
• It helps inform public policies and law enforcement strategies aimed at combating organized crime.