ganglands
Mob-controlled urban zones
Ganglands refers to areas or territories controlled by criminal gangs, typically urban neighborhoods where organized crime operates openly: the ganglands of 1920s Chicago.
The word evokes a world of turf wars, vice, and violence.
It appears most often as an attributive noun: gangland killings, gangland style execution.
The singular gangland is more common.
Combined group pursuing shared interest
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- mobDisorderly, aggressive crowd
- crewWorking team aboard
- cliqueExclusive social group
set · posse · outfit · family · chapter · faction · hierarchy · initiation
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
- black marketIllicit trading system
loan sharking · drug trade · trafficking · fencing · burglary · armed robbery · money laundering · counterfeiting
Armed confrontation or tiebreaker
- drive-byAttack from passing vehicle
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- bloodshedKilling and wounding
- assaultViolent offensive act
homicide · retribution · vendetta · execution · retaliation · beatdown · stabbing · armed robbery
Plant disease causing decay
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- squalorDirty, degraded living conditions
- neglectFailure to provide care
- disrepairPoor maintained condition
slums · graffiti · dereliction · poverty · unemployment · broken windows · vacant lots · projects
syndicate
Combined group pursuing shared interest
clique · set · posse · outfit · family · chapter · faction · hierarchy · initiation · recruitment
racketeering
Conducting illegal business schemes
- extortionObtaining through threats
- protection racketExtortion through intimidation
- smugglingIllegal covert transport
black market · loan sharking · drug trade · trafficking · fencing · burglary · armed robbery · money laundering · counterfeiting · prostitution
shootout
Armed confrontation or tiebreaker
- drive-byAttack from passing vehicle
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- bloodshedKilling and wounding
assault · homicide · retribution · vendetta · execution · retaliation · beatdown · stabbing · armed robbery · intimidation
blight
Plant disease causing decay
- abandonmentAct of leaving permanently
- squalorDirty, degraded living conditions
- neglectFailure to provide care
disrepair · slums · graffiti · dereliction · poverty · unemployment · broken windows · vacant lots · projects · tenements
kingpin
Criminal organization's leader
capo · underboss · enforcer · hitman · lieutenant · soldier · dealer · runner · lookout · recruit
turf
Grass-covered earth surface
encroachment · expansion · dispute · possession · block · hood · street · corner · district · neighborhood
- gangland warfareCriminal organization armed conflict