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Gang Organization
Gangland life in Gotham City is Organized Crime, with a capital O. Where flashy bank robbers like Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd and Bonnie and Clyde run around the Midwest with just a few gang members, the nine gangs of Gotham have tens of thousands of members. These are organized in similar fashions. The basic break down is between “crews” and “leadership”. Every gang is broken into crews, typically from 5 to 25 members each. Each crew typically has its own specialty. Whereas the crew is basically the same for each gang, the leadership structure varies widely.
The Italian Gangs
The Italian Gangs, i.e., Falcone Family, Moroni Family and The East Siders Gang follow the traditional Mafia organization. Each gang is headed by a Boss, who is assisted by an Under-Boss and a Consigliere. Each crew is headed by a Capo and contains soldiers and associates. The soldiers, Capos and leadership are all “made guys” formally initiated into the mafia. It's against mafia law to kill a made guy without approval from the boss. Only Italians are able to become made men, non-Italians can be associates only and never rise in the ranks.
The East Siders choose their boss by election of the capos. The Falcones and Moronis have never had to choose a new boss, being new as families, but would presumably have a Boss chosen for them by the National Mafia Commission. Capos are chosen by the boss, and the boss also determines if someone can become a made guy. Capos can use whatever associates they like, unless specifically ordered not to.
The Chinese Gangs
The Golden Dragons and The Ghost Dragons Gang use Chinese Triad organization. At the top is the Dragon Master or Mountain Master. The next level down there are the Vanguard (operations), Grass Slipper (deputy master) and Incense Master (ceremonies and initiation). The next lowest level contains the White Paper Fan (administrator), Red Pole (enforcer) and Straw Sandal (go-between). Below these officials are the 49 (ordinary, initiated members) and the Blue Lanterns (uninitiated associates).
The Chinese gangs do not seem to have permanent crew captains, with a 49 chosen to lead a mission by the Red Pole or Vanguard. The difference between the 49 and Blue Lantern is similar to the difference between mafia made men and associates.