Actually I imagine the biggest thing of the “protection money” racket concept… to my understanding that requires being the most dangerous thing in the area. While the obvious concept of protection money is it’s to prevent the group you are paying from robbing you… it is kind of protection in the sense that a small time crook wants to rob stores in a mafia controlled area, the mob will go after him.

I’d imagine an army sized groups breaking down doors etc… means paying the mob ain’t that good of a deal.

Also I’d say… I’m pretty sure most organized crime, has their own code of morals. Ice thug may be outside many of their standards.