Number of Homicide Cases in Rio Drops to Lowest Since 1991

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Data from the Institute of Public Safety (ISP) show that the rate of homicides (with intent to kill) in the state of Rio de Janeiro fell 21 percent in the first nine months of this year in relation to the same period in 2018.

According to the ISP, from January to September, 3,025 nurder victims were recorded, compared to 3,843 last year. This is the lowest number of victims for the partial year since 1991.

When comparing only the month of September, there was a 19 percent decrease (308 in 2019 against 382 in 2018), also the lowest number of victims for the month since 1991.

The indicator for all intentional violent lethal crimes — such as murder, robbery followed by death and bodily injury followed by death — also showed a 20 percent drop from September 2018 and from the third quarter (July, August, and September) over the same period last year.

Also according to the Institute, in this year’s accumulated totals, there was a 34 percent reduction in the incidence of armed robberies followed by death, in comparison with the first nine months of 2018.

With seven cases recorded in September, the number of victims has totaled 91 this year, 47 less than in the same period last year. It is the lowest number for the month since 2012.

However, deaths due to police interventions have increased 19 percent between January and September this year compared to the same period in 2018.