Diadema's historic plunging homicide rate, when government and civil society join forces

Diadema, considered one of the most violent cities in the state of São Paulo, saw homicides fall by 80% thanks to a public security plan that involved city hall, state government, civil society (universities, private businesses and community associations) and the police. The project started in 2000, and combines visible policing and violence prevention measures with programs for at risk children and adolescents.

In six years, according to the Secretary of Social Defense, Regina Miki, the number of homicides dropped from 31 to six per month, thanks to a security policy that combines preventative actions with qualified repression. “The partnership between civil society and government institutions was fundamental. The population used to be numb, but broke out of that inertia and today gets angry and speaks out when a homicide occurs,” she said.

The Social Defense Secretary emphasized civil society participation in the success of Diadema’s Municipal Public Security Plans. The community participated through public security forums and the Municipal Security Councils. The forums took place every two weeks, and counted on the participation of representatives from civil society, the town hall, and state offices. In these forums they discussed local problems related to security, and proposed solutions.

“The Municipal Security Councils are meetings between representatives from town hall that discuss intra-secretariat policies that involve actions in various areas with the same goal: ending violence,” explained Regina Miki. The policy implementation areas include security, health, education, and urban development.

The Diadema Security Plan was implemented in two phases. Its first phase, from 2001 to 2004, saw the creation of programs such as the Teen Apprentice Project; an integration of the Civil and Military Police forces with the Municipal Civil Guard; the Last Call Law (that has bars close at 11pm); as well as improving public lighting; installing security cameras; and launching disarmament campaigns for both real and toy guns.
 

The second Municipal Security Plan started to be implemented in 2005 in partnership with the Sou de Paz Institute, which participated from its conception to the writing of the plan. “The content was built in a highly participatory manner with citizens playing a very important role. It is an example of a government-civil society partnership that worked out,” commented Mariana Montoro, coordinator for Communication for the São Paulo NGO.

This second phase of the municipal plan was the result of debates with public hearings that in turn led to 17 commitments that reaffirmed and further developed the objectives of the first plan. They were divided into three lines of action: crime inducing factors, management, and urbanization.

According to Mariana Montoro, the first security plan had more structured measures designed for greater impact because it was necessary to quickly lower the homicide rate. In the second plan, it was necessary to refine and deepen the earlier concepts and incorporate an evaluation and monitoring of its impact and effects. “In the second phase the enforcement of the Last Call Law was perfected, adding more security cameras and investing in professionals training for Municipal Guards,” she explained.

One of the cornerstones of the second Security Plan is its conflict mediation policy. Instead of perpetually resorting to police intervention in face of a problem, the population can now use a qualified and trained mediator to quickly solve problems that sometimes would extend for too long, or could create significant tensions.
 

According to Regina Miki, the second phase of the Municipal Security Plan brought advances in the areas of management and urbanization. She cites as an example the fact that today less than 1% of the municipal population lives in slums, compared to 3% before the plan. She also pointed to advances in the management of public policies jointly implemented by the different public offices. “Public security is not done with policing alone. Prevention should be done in the urban environment and has to include sports, culture, hobbies, education and health,” Miki explained.

Mariana Monotoro on the other hand, stressed the importance of the investments in training the Municipal Guard and making the police and citizens aware of the threat that guns represent. “What we still haven’t been able to do, is to think beyond bar-curfews, to reach supermarket owners, to instruct them not sell alcohol to teens under the age of 18.”

But the recent advances do not mean that the work on public security has come to an end. Despite the fact that Diadema can be considered a safe city, there is still a lot to do. According to the secretariat, the reduction in homicides means there are other, newer, crimes to be fought. “Homicide, the focus on the municipal security plans, is under control. What worries us now are crimes against property and drug trafficking.”

“This is no miracle. Both sides, the state and civil society, have to be willing. The challenges continue since now we can’t lose what we have already won,” Mariana Montoro added.

Translated by Catherine Griffith