By "open cities" in the mafia world means that any Mafia family could operate there without permission.Its like vacation time for mobsters in cities like Miami,south Florida,mobsters used to visit there since the 20's,from Capone to Scarfo.In the 1990s authorities estimated that over 600 members from diferent crime families in America were in South Florida.
Yeah, South Florida has always been a winter playground for wiseguys. But then again, it's always been a winter playground for many well-to-do Northerners who could afford to get away during the cold months. Italians, Jews, most people with Mediterranean blood hate the cold.
As far as a city being "open" today: Since the commission barely exists at this point, these places are probably more "open" now than ever. When you read most of the Florida indictments, the crimes seem more loosely organized than a lot of scams up north.
Off topic: The snow in New York today has me wishing that we were at our place down there right now. But we're not leaving this year until a couple days after the New Year. But on the bright side, we ain't coming back til April
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