Final answer:
During Prohibition, "Scarface" Al Capone ran the Chicago Outfit, a criminal organization that controlled many cities' gambling and bookmaking operations. It earned over $100 million annually and had ties with city officials, which allowed vice activities to thrive, particularly in minority neighborhoods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Organized Crime During Prohibition
During Prohibition, organized crime skyrocketed, and "Scarface" Al Capone dominated many cities' gambling and bookmaking operations. The Chicago Outfit or Chicago mafia, led by Capone, engaged in illegal activities such as bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, loan sharking, and murder. This extensive operation generated over $100 million annually, and Capone even had law enforcement on his payroll to protect his interests.
Vice also proved lucrative for urban political machines, which benefited from the continuous cycle of bribes and raids. This dynamic contributed to the proliferation of gambling houses and additional forms of vice, often in ethnic and racial minority neighborhoods. As a result, Capone's reign, the collusion between criminal organizations and law enforcement, and the experience of youth in such environments became a defining aspect of the era.