Prohibition
Prohibition defined the rise and fall of The Purple Gang. They were masters of running alcohol especially whiskey across the Canadian border into Detroit. They would then transport this alcohol across the country but most famously to Chicago Gangster Al Capone. They used their connections with corrupt officials and law enforcement officers to avoid detection when transporting the alcohol. They furthered their control through speakeasies located throughout the city. They had mass control of Detroits underground and spread through influence throughout the city. With so many speakeasies they controlled a large amount of territory in the city deciding what happened on their territory. This is supported by the WDIV Detroit Article by Ken Haddad. "The Purple Gang controlled Detroit's underworld, including gambling -- especially on horse races and other sporting events -- liquor sales, and drug trade. These operations kept the gang rich, netting millions of dollars. In 1929, making and distributing illegal alcohol was Detroit's No. 2 industry, behind automobiles. By the mid-20s, the city was home to more than 25,000 illegal speakeasies -- most of them controlled by the Purple Gang."2
These activities were not all glamorous like the speakeasies as shown in this Detroit Free Press Article. The gangs sometimes faced retaliation from the people they tried to extort. The article describes an attempted high jacking by the Sugar House Gang (later merged with the Burstein brothers to create the purple gang.) They attempted to hijack a sugar producer's truck and were shot down before they were able to.1
The sheer number of Speakeasies under the gang's control shows the amount of power they had in the city. The WDIV article also describes a large number of murders the gang was responsible for. "The Purple Gang, also known as the Sugar House Gang, has been labeled the bloodiest gang of its era, with estimates reaching more than 500 rivals killed during bootleg wars."2
These murders and the gang's involvement in Prohibition brought them enormous wealth and power, but it also brought increased scrutiny from law enforcement and the public. The gang's brazen tactics, including the use of guns and explosives, drew the attention of federal authorities such as the FBI. Something that has happened to modern organized crime in Detroit.2
Primary
1“Detroit Free Press 05 Aug 1928, Page Page 96.” Historical Newspapers from 1700s-2000s - Newspapers.com. Accessed April 15, 2023. https://www.newspapers.com/image/97637791/?clipping_id=10959361&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjk3NjM3NzkxLCJpYXQiOjE2ODE0NDUzMTYsImV4cCI6MTY4MTUzMTcxNn0.8x_pmoyUBl5KEtvft62jHorwGPaKxOySC2pg78S8QmA
Secondary
2Haddad, Ken. “When the 'Purple Gang' Ruled Detroit.” WDIV. WDIV ClickOnDetroit, April 10, 2022. https://www.clickondetroit.com/all-about-michigan/2018/12/03/when-the-purple-gang-ruled-detroit/