Criminality Plummets in São Paulo Capital During Quarantine

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Crime plummeted in the capital of São Paulo in April, during the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to data released on Tuesday, May 26th, by the SSP (Public Security Secretariat), under João Doria’s administration.

Thefts in general decreased the most in the city, by 59.5 percent, comparing April this year (18,730) with the same month last year (7,568). Auto thefts dropped from 3,274 to 1,541 (-53 percent), robberies in general from 11,141 to 8,300 (-25.5 percent), vehicles from 48.7 percent and cargo from 41.2 percent. Violent crimes also declined in the capital. Rape was down 44 percent from 229 cases in 2019 to 128 this year, homicides dropped from 59 to 52 (-11.8 percent), and no robbery-homicides were reported in April this year.

The state government’s decree of quarantine on March 24th contributed to crimes against property in the city, says Rafael Alcadipani, a professor at FGV (Getúlio Vargas Foundation) and member of the Brazilian Public Safety Forum. According to the expert, the crime is based on economic activity to be accomplished. “With the quarantine, the opportunities for criminals decrease. There are fewer people on the street with cell phones, less cargo to be stolen,” he said. However, he considered that social isolation can lead to an increase in cyber crime, because people are relating more extensively over the Internet, and may be scammed.

Regarding governor João Doria’s announcement on Wednesday, May 27th, in which he extended quarantine for another 15 days, but with potential relaxation, according to sectors of the state, Alcadipani said it could lead to a rise in crime. “As the economy returns, the opportunities to commit crimes also return [for criminals]. The main question is how the state will keep the rates down,” he said.

Murders increase in the State

The state of São Paulo also recorded a drop in crime rates during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the exception of murders, which increased by three percent. According to the SSP, 263 murders were reported in April this year and 255 in the same period in 2019. Considering the data for 2020, this represents a murder in the state every two days.

As in the state capital, there was also a drop in robberies in general (-30 percent), auto thefts (45.5 percent), thefts in general (53.3 percent) and thefts of vehicles (49.2 percent).

Overview

Colonel Álvaro Camilo, executive secretary of the São Paulo State Police, ascribes the drop in property crimes to two factors. The first, according to the officer, is the more intensive use of state troopers in ostensive policing. As the State Police are not currently policing soccer stadiums, events or helping to escort inmates, the corporation is deploying its troops more strategically throughout the city. “The prompt response to crimes has become faster,” he explained.

Another factor is quarantine, according to the colonel. However, he added that as a result of the emptying of the streets, it is important for people to call the police whenever they perceive suspicious activity. “Some commercial streets are deserted. This can contribute to the action of criminals,” he said.

Regarding the increase in murders in the state, he said they occur “for interpersonal reasons,” among people who know each other, motivated in some cases by social isolation, coupled with factors such as alcohol and drug abuse. Since these actions are difficult to control, the colonel added that the State Police performs indirect work to contain murders, such as fighting drug trafficking, seizing weapons and conducting operations to control alcohol in road traffic.