Thugs use intimidation. A liberal application of "Do this or I'll do that," as a means of forcing innocent people, the thugs see as sheep to be fleeced
Extortion, intimidation, and scams: these are the tactics of thugs. On the streets of Chicago there are neighborhoods where the police won't enter after dark. Gangs of thugs rule the night protecting the neighborhood or engaging in what the police in other places quaintly call extortion, intimidation and other activities common to organized crime.
