Crimetown

by Gimlet
13,957
News #189

Welcome to Crimetown, a series produced by Marc Smerling and Zac Stuart-Pontier in partnership with Gimlet Media. Each season, we investigate the culture of crime in a different city. In Season 2, Crimetown heads to the heart of the Rust Belt: Detroit, Michigan. From its heyday as Motor City to its rebirth as the Brooklyn of the Midwest, Detroit’s history reflects a series of issues that strike at the heart of American identity: race, poverty, policing, loss of industry, the war on drugs, and our universal desire for a savior. Detroit’s a tough town, and its residents are even tougher. They’ve weathered riots, a drug epidemic, political scandal, and innumerable other hardships, but they’re still here—and they have stories to tell.

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Recent Episodes
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  • Introducing | Beyond All Repair
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  • Introducing “Operation: Tradebom”
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  • Bonus Episode: The Streets Don't Love You Back
    Sep 5, 2019 – 41:57
  • S2 E19: From the Ashes
    Aug 29, 2019 – 37:10
  • S2 E18: United States v. Kwame Kilpatrick
    Aug 22, 2019 – 39:36
  • S2 E17: Operation Bombay Dreams
    Aug 15, 2019 – 42:02
  • S2 E16: Surrendered
    Aug 8, 2019 – 30:36
  • S2 E15: The Murder of Tamara Greene
    Aug 1, 2019 – 39:24
  • Introducing The Ballad of Billy Balls
    Jul 31, 2019 – 09:06
  • S2 E14: The Affair
    Jul 25, 2019 – 44:54
  • S2 E13: Gary Brown v. Mayor of Detroit
    Jul 18, 2019 – 30:48
  • Introducing Man in the Window
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  • S2 E12: Fake News
    Jul 11, 2019 – 39:53
  • S2 E11: The Hip Hop Mayor
    Jul 4, 2019 – 37:43
  • S2 E10: Right Here, Right Now
    Jun 27, 2019 – 33:14
  • S2 E09: Dimitri
    Jun 20, 2019 – 42:10
  • S2 E08: Operation Backbone
    Jun 13, 2019 – 42:49
  • S2 E07: Who Killed Damion Lucas?
    Jun 6, 2019 – 37:32
  • S2 E06: The Mayor, the Barber, and the Babysitter
    May 30, 2019 – 32:05
  • S2 E05: YBI to the Day I Die
    May 23, 2019 – 40:59
  • S2 E04: The Kingpins' Kids
    May 16, 2019 – 32:45
  • S2 E03: The Fat Man and the Field Marshall
    May 9, 2019 – 35:00
  • S2 E02: The Battle for Detroit
    May 2, 2019 – 33:58
  • S2 E01: Stop the Robberies, Enjoy Safe Streets
    Oct 1, 2018 – 35:24
  • Coming Soon: Season 2
    Sep 20, 2018 – 02:57
  • Bonus Episode: Buddy Cianci...The Musical
    Dec 23, 2017 – 36:42
  • Bonus Episode: Courtney
    Dec 19, 2017 – 42:43
  • Bonus Episode: Sins of the Father
    Nov 29, 2017 – 32:24
  • Bonus Episode: The Arrest of Ralph DeMasi
    Jun 4, 2017 – 40:45
  • Bonus Episode: Crimetown Live in Brooklyn
    May 21, 2017 – 45:18
  • The Crimetown Season One Soundtrack
    May 18, 2017 – 12:39
  • S1 E18: The Prince of Providence
    May 8, 2017 – 47:50
  • S1 E17: The Trial of Buddy Cianci
    Apr 30, 2017 – 32:52
  • S1 E16: Operation Plunder Dome
    Apr 23, 2017 – 47:39
  • Bonus Episode: The Gangster's Daughter
    Apr 16, 2017 – 19:17
  • S1 E15: Family Ties
    Apr 10, 2017 – 39:26
  • S1 E14: Renaissance Man
    Apr 2, 2017 – 36:54
  • Bonus Episode: Cat and Mouse Part II
    Mar 26, 2017 – 19:47
  • S1 E13: The Network
    Mar 19, 2017 – 34:51
  • S1 E12: Mob Justice
    Mar 12, 2017 – 31:38
  • S1 E11: The Doctor Broad
    Mar 5, 2017 – 37:23
  • S1 E10: The Ghost
    Feb 26, 2017 – 37:37
  • S1 E09: A Deal With the Devil
    Feb 5, 2017 – 35:13
  • S1 E08: Cat and Mouse
    Jan 29, 2017 – 36:39
  • S1 E07: Power Street
    Jan 22, 2017 – 35:09
  • S1 E06: Gerald and Harold
    Dec 18, 2016 – 35:15
  • S1 E05: The Art of the Deal
    Dec 11, 2016 – 35:07
  • S1 E04: The Bonded Vault Heist
    Dec 4, 2016 – 36:47
Recent Reviews
  • ‘GansettLover
    Never Disappoints
    I lived in RI. It is difficult to capture the range of personalities and unique culture there. Crimetown nailed it. Never too deep in the weeds; always respectful of the human side. This is podcasting and storytelling at its best.
  • happycolors1
    Great
    Fantastic show! So awesome.
  • stilluf
    Season 3 Please!!!!
    Well done but need a new season!!!
  • Msp629
    No money
    $20k a day and the man has no money for his family saved when he goes to prison. That’s probably the saddest part of the podcast.
  • ArghMatey1
    FUBR
    Beyond all recognition.
  • Jojojojo1234321
    Amazing
    I’m from RI and love hearing the stories told about the history of Providence. It’s an incredible series of events and this podcast tells it in an enchanting way.
  • bcr1112
    One of the best of all time
    Particularly the Detroit season
  • CaptainCork
    Entertaining & well produced
    I found this. Few years back & forgot about it. Not that I didn’t want to listen, I’m usually listing to music & podcasts are in the back-burner. Something came to mind a few weeks back & I looked to find if I had saved Crimetown, & I did. As someone from R.I., knowing the history & people interviewed, it has been one wild ride! I’m checking out season 2 now & I'm just as riveted as I was listening to season 1. Thank you for putting this all together for us to share in!
  • Youtubehtr
    Riveting!
    This is a great entertaining listen that has me bingeing all of it.
  • DinaForHill
    Best podcast
    Great stories, great music, and they do not glorify the criminals, but do humanize them. And there’s no annoying background music or sounds. Where is season 3??
  • christy gauthier
    Just listen already
    Nuff said.
  • bgags9418
    Crime town is terrific!
    Binged the whole podcast, very informative and entertaining!
  • rszbwest
    Excellent Podcast
    New favorite Podcast. I wish there were more seasons!!
  • chriscruzgarcia
    Fantastic!
    Thorough, straight forward, and entertaining. Honestly, exactly what I would want out of a podcast in this genre. The production is great and the episodes are a perfect length.
  • Allisonfly
    Crimetown Season 1
    Just finished season 1 on my way to and from my first visit to Providence. This was one of the best podcasts I’ve ever listened to. Thoroughly enjoyable. I learned so much about Buddy, the city and its people and it made my experience touring the city so much richer. Thanks to all involved!
  • player#987654321
    Crimetown
    Season 1 shows the complexity of the former mayor of Providence, Buddy Cianci. The research is excellent. Especially the participants and investigative journalist.
  • ljb325
    Is there gunna be another season?!
    Probably one of my favorite podcasts. Hope another season comes out someday!
  • bunnyravitz
    The Podfather.
    Season 1 of Crimetown is one the best things I have ever listened to. Season 2 is also excellent but I had to come here and admit that I LIVE for the Podfather comments at the end of the credits.
  • tyurtr
    Great!
    👍👍👍👍
  • Myamya1998
    5 Stars ⭐️
    This is one of the best podcast I’ve listen to I hope you have more seasons up coming. I like the Government misconduct storyline!! Keep them coming!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
  • Shawnmac71
    Great show!
    I am all the way through season one and moving onto season two with much anticipation! The amount of research you had to have done, incredible, how did you find and interview the mistress, a doctor who desperately wanted to stay under the radar? Amazing!!! Oh, and the fact that you sound like Richard Dreyfus narrating stand by me helps! I hope to see more things soon, thank you
  • vawench88
    Best Podcasts Ever
    I greatly enjoyed learning about Providence and Detroit. The stories are methodically researched and presented well. Even the music rocked. Great job guys and I look forward to more!
  • jdac26
    Providence Crimetown
    This program was phenomenal. I love it and so did everyone I told about it.
  • Garlando79
    Liking it more each episode
    I love taken a chance on a podcast & looking forward to listening while I’m working. As a painter it makes my day go by quicker. And this podcast got me hooked. Very well put together & not a lot of people know this side of life.
  • Tkm562
    Amazing!!
    This podcast is extremely well done! The attention to detail and locating witnesses is just fantastic. Once I started listening, I could not stop. I highly recommend!!
  • Erik91810
    A must listen!!!!!
    If you like the Sopranos, Goodfellas, or any other great gangster movie/book/show, this is a well done and thoughtful story. You end up feeling that you knew these people. Can’t say enough. Well done
  • LeVuleOoof
    Hands down one of the BEST!
    Absolutely fantastic podcast!! I’m hoping more are coming 🙏
  • MissyG9
    I was biased
    Because I’m a native Rhode Islander I almost didn’t listen to season 2. I’m very glad I did. Outstanding little trick you did with the federal prison recordings. Took me by surprise!
  • Chef Nikita
    More please
    Season 1 was better and I’ve re-listened twice!
  • secretshooper
    One of the best
    More I need more!
  • Olivia E. H-Belew
    great
    Great show! Wish there where more episodes I just binge listen. Took me 3 days. I wish I could keep going
  • Mork342
    Babylon Redux
    Season 1: Oh my. For those of you who did not grow up in the culture of 70s and 80s within throwing distance to Providence, please go to school with this podcast. Unfettered by the concept of “politically correct” see how chronic unfettered hubris, politics, and egos collide to sustain a vast sociopathic cast of real life characters. The folks who put this podcast together are remarkably talented.
  • olivinha12
    Great podcast!!
    Extremely entertaining and lost of history!
  • LynLewis14
    Loved this. Where is Season 3?
    I have been an avid listener of crime town. The uncovering and delving into corruption highly interests me and the stories are almost unbelievable! You guys do an amazing job presenting the facts while still keeping it interesting. My only issue is where is season 3?! You’ve lured us in & now we want more!!!!! Please tell me there will be more?!
  • Cwfarrugia
    CRIMETOWN
    Binge listening. Top notch
  • motenbros
    Gotta get a update of kwame Kirkpatrick
    I love this show
  • mrjlt03
    New episodes
    When will we get new episodes
  • TheJagHimself
    3rd time listener
    It’s the Sopranos of podcasts. Every time I listen I somehow love it more and more! Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars
  • Boldie24
    Not Past It Episode - Ma Barker
    The producer/narrator of this episode is just as guilty in rationalizing/building up Ma Barker as Hoover was in vilifying/tearing her down.
  • Disappointed in Not Past It
    Not Past It is not Crimetown
    Crimetown was fantastic. Wish there was another season. The Not Past It episode on Ma Barker is absolute garbage and I wish I could get my 30 minutes back.
  • Avpeace
    season two: copaganda
    extremely disappointed in the second season, just fyi opening a podcast season with a white cop shooting a black kid is not the greatest way to get a huge audience
  • JessicaJonesMCU1
    Simply outstanding
    Fantastic storytelling. You tell intricate stories so clearly, without diminishing the huge personalities central to each tale. The musical backdrop is beautiful without being distracting. I’m a podcast junkie, and this is in my top 10.
  • goke da boss
    Season 3 when
    Yo Marc and Zach when is season 3 coming out? C’mon guys don’t keep us waiting.
  • jjrooster
    Season one was great … then it fell off hard…. Get back to telling mob stories
    What happened? …
  • Jshdbcjf
    Fed Hill Must Listen
    I was visiting a friend who happen to live on Fed Hill when they recommended this podcast to me. Just a couple blocks from the original location of the Coin-o-Matic, listening to the noir stories of Patriarca and his men in the very neighborhood in which I had been staying truly brought the area to life. Visiting the Hudson Fur Bonded Vault, the mayor’s Power St. mansion, and even getting a haircut from Vinnie D himself, this podcast has made my stay on Fed Hill in Providence the experience of a lifetime.
  • trod94
    Fascinating
    I started listening to season 2 to learn more about a shady character mentioned but I am hooked. The story telling is superb and has captivated me. I’m finding things to do around the house to keep binging. I will go back and listen to season 1 next.
  • RevivalReel
    Gripping
    *note: this is based on Season 1 only. A fantastic telling of the real history of Providence in the 20th Century where the two most powerful forces in the city at the time, the mob and the government do battle. I grew up in Rhode Island and heard many of these local myths before, this podcast does a great job separating fact from fiction, we bunch of colorful characters that would make the creators of The Sopranos envious.
  • clc1273
    Terrible
    🤬🤬🙄🤮🤮🤮
  • thumper6974
    Thank you
    Tired of fox, cnn, and all the rest. I needed a break form that. This podcast is marvelous. Intriguing first hand history of a crime period in Rhode Island. It's like a page turner book. Thank you very much.
  • Foxtroot101st
    Crimetown Rocks!
    This is a classy podcast. The tempo of each episode is set. The voices are crisp. The music fits into every arch- its brilliantly done and much of it is original. It leaves you wanting more. But then! Then there’s the content. It’s crazy good. Compelling. The interviews are off the charts great. You’ll want to drive and drive and drive until you get to the end. And then: Listen again.
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