However, various causes have led to what is now regarded as a ghetto. Right after the earthquake in 1980, many families in the area were left homeless. Many of these families without shelter started to occupy the apartments illegally. Tolerated and ignored by the government, more people started to occupy the buildings including criminals. Things were made worse by the total lack of police presence, resulting in drug trafficking, illegal street racing, gangs, and fencing operations. Roberto Saviano wrote the book "Gomorrah" about organised criminality by the Camorra (the Neapolitan mafia)—with the Vele playing a big part—and discussed the Vele and their decline and criminality extensively in a long article about the demolition of the last of the sails in 2020.