Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SAOPAULO223
2006-03-02 18:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:  

CONTINUED DECLINE IN MOST VIOLENT CRIME IN SAO PAULO

Tags:  KCRM PGOV ASEC PHUM ECON SNAR BR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7446
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHSO #0223/01 0611832
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZDK
R 021832Z MAR 06
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4580
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 5732
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 2726
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 6851
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 2056
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 2411
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 1826
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 1573
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 2598
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUMIAAA/USCINCSO MIAMI FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAO PAULO 000223 

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SCRONIN
DEPT FOR INL, WHA/BSC, DS, DS/DSS, DS/DSS/IP, DS/DSS/OSAC,
DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/FPO AND A/OPR/ALS

A/OPR/ALS FOR CASSIE WASHINGTON

POSTS FOR RSO, PSO, DHS, AND LEGATT

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PGOV ASEC PHUM ECON SNAR BR
SUBJECT: CONTINUED DECLINE IN MOST VIOLENT CRIME IN SAO PAULO

REF: A) 05 Sao Paulo 1408 AND PREVIOUS

SAO PAULO 00000223 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAO PAULO 000223

SIPDIS

NSC FOR SCRONIN
DEPT FOR INL, WHA/BSC, DS, DS/DSS, DS/DSS/IP, DS/DSS/OSAC,
DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/FPO AND A/OPR/ALS

A/OPR/ALS FOR CASSIE WASHINGTON

POSTS FOR RSO, PSO, DHS, AND LEGATT

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PGOV ASEC PHUM ECON SNAR BR
SUBJECT: CONTINUED DECLINE IN MOST VIOLENT CRIME IN SAO PAULO

REF: A) 05 Sao Paulo 1408 AND PREVIOUS

SAO PAULO 00000223 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: The Sao Paulo State Secretariat for Public
Security released fourth quarter (October-December, 2005) crime
statistics for the city of Sao Paulo, the Sao Paulo city outskirts,
and the state as a whole. Statewide, violent crime decreased,
including a marked decrease in homicide and attempted homicide. The
city of Sao Paulo also showed a decline in most categories of
violent crime in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to the same
period of 2004. End Summary.

VIOLENT CRIME DOWN STATEWIDE
--------------


2. (U) The State Public Security Secretariat releases data quarterly
on theft, drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, rape, homicide,
robbery, extortion through kidnapping and many other crimes,
including very minor offenses. Overall, 496,066 crimes were
reported in the fourth quarter of 2005 in Sao Paulo state, compared
with 503,154 in the same period in 2004, a decrease of approximately
one percent. Most categories of violent crime fell. For example,
in comparison with the last quarter of 2004, reports of premeditated
homicide declined 18 percent statewide; robbery resulting in death,
know as "latrocinio," 30 percent; and rape, 7 percent. Reported
attempted homicide decreased by 20 percent. Most categories of
reported theft and robbery decreased by approximately 4 to 7 percent
in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004.
In contrast to other categories of violent crime, kidnapping for
ransom increased from 29 cases in the last quarter of 2004 to 41
cases in same period of 2005.

CITY MURDERS CONTINUE TO DECLINE
--------------


3. (U) In the city of Sao Paulo, violent crime decreased in several
categories in the fourth quarter of 2005 in comparison with the
fourth quarter of 2004. Reports of premeditated homicide fell from
767 reported in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 569 in the fourth
quarter of 2005, a decrease of 26 percent. There was also a 12
percent decline in the number of reported rapes committed in the
city. "Latrocinio" cases fell from 24 cases in the fourth quarter
of 2004 to 15 during the same period in 2005. Most categories of
reported theft and robbery decreased by approximately 3 to 6 percent
in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared to the same period of 2004.
The number of reported kidnappings for ransom, however, rose, from
18 cases in the last quarter of 2004 to 22 cases in the same period
of 2005.

CRIME RATES HIGH FOR IMPOVERISHED OUTSKIRTS
--------------


4. (U) The outskirts of Sao Paulo City continued to experience a
high number of serious crimes, though there were declines reported
in several major categories of violent crime. Reported homicides
decreased by 12 percent, from 545 cases in the fourth quarter of
2004 to 482 cases in the fourth quarter of 2005. Attempted homicide
dropped by 18 percent, from 439 cases to 359 cases. Reported
"latrocinio" declined slightly. All categories of theft and robbery
decreased, with the exception of cargo robberies. However, as in the
city and state, the number of kidnappings for ransom increased, from
6 reported cases in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 10 cases for the
same period of 2005.


5. (U) Statewide, the State Secretariat for Public Security reported
a dramatic 60 percent decline in the number of civilians killed by
on-duty military police; 141 such cases were reported the fourth
quarter of 2004, as compared to 56 reported in during the same
period of 2005. On-duty civilian police killed 3 civilians in the
fourth quarter of 2005, compared to 8 during the fourth quarter of

2005. Killings committed by off-duty civilian and military police
also declined. (Comment: Killings of civilians by police officers
represent one of Brazil's most serious and persistent human rights
problems; it is unclear whether the reported decline reflects
changing habits or a change in statistical methodology. End

SAO PAULO 00000223 002.2 OF 002


comment.)

CONSUL GENERAL MEETS WITH SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC SECURITY
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) On February 17, Consul General (CG) met with Sao Paulo
State Secretary for Public Security Saulo de Castro Abreu Filho and
his deputy, Marcelo Martins de Oliveira. The Secretary noted with
satisfaction the significant decline in the homicide rate but did
not attribute it to any single cause. CG and Abreu discussed
continuing cooperation between ConGen Sao Paulo and law enforcement
authorities on security-related matters.

MCMULLEN