This County In Rhode Island Was One Of The Most Dangerous Places In The Nation In The 1950s
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Tammy Laforest
Author
Rhode Island is currently one of the safest states in the country, but once upon a time it was a mafia hub.The mob was active in New England long before the 50s, but in 1956, new mob boss Raymond Patriarca made dramatic changes, moving the headquarters to an unassuming vending machine business on Federal Hill in Providence County, changing the landscape of Providence county forever.
Federal Hill is a subsection of Providence with a convenient central location and close proximity to downtown.
It is best known for its Italian-American culture. The area is filled with Italian restaurants, shops, flags and music.
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In the 1950s mob boss Raymond Patriarca moved the headquarters of the New England Crime Family to this area.
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He made his "office" in an unassuming vending machine business called the Coin-O-Matic located at 168 Atwells Avenue.
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The New England Crime Family became a powerful and ruthless criminal organization. Its territory spanned north all the way to Worcester and south all the way to the Connecticut River, dividing the territory between theirs and the New York Crime Family. They caught the attention of the FBI.
In 1961 Robert F Kennedy became the Attorney General of the United States. His primary focus was organized crime. This led to many arrests, including the notorious mob boss. This was devastating to the crime ring, and it never recovered.
In his early legal career, future Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci would aid in prosecutions against Patriarca and become known as the "anti-corruption candidate," though he himself would be convicted of felony corruption charges at the age of 61. This did not prevent him from running for mayor for a third time, and nearly winning.
It seems that whatever remains of the New England Mafia has moved back to Boston, but some of the old mobsters can still be found in their apartments on Federal Hill to this day.
It is shocking to find out what is going on in secret right next door. Continue reading to find out the 10 Best Kept Secrets in Little Rhody.
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