The
Philadelphia crime family, (pronounced ) also known as the
Philadelphia Mafia, the
Philly Mob/Mafia,
South Philly Mafia/Mob, or
Philadelphia-South Jersey Mob/Mafia is an
Italian American criminal organization based in
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Formed and based in
South Philadelphia, the family operates in various areas in the
Philadelphia metropolitan area, Southeastern Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, especially
South Jersey. The Philadelphia family is notorious for its violence, due in particular to its succession of violent
bosses and multiple mob wars. Under
Angelo Bruno's reign (1959–1980) the family enjoyed an era of peace and prosperity. During this time law enforcement and the media starting calling the family the
Bruno crime family. A complex dispute involving disgruntled subordinates and the New York Mafia led to Bruno's murder in 1980. Bruno's death kicked off a gradual decline of power for the crime family. Bruno's death was followed by multiple internal wars and led to the ascension of two violent Mafia bosses.