Violent crimes against life increased in the state of São Paulo during the first half of 2025. According to data released on Thursday (31/07) by the Public Security Secretariat (SSP), 129 femicides were recorded statewide between January and June—a 4% rise compared to the same period in 2024. Intentional homicides also showed a slight uptick, with 1,241 cases reported, up from 1,230 the previous year. Meanwhile, the Smart Sampa program, launched in 2024 to transform public security in São Paulo through facial recognition technology, has not succeeded in reducing key crime indicators. A study by the Center for Security and Citizenship Studies (CESeC) found no measurable drop in rates of theft, robbery, or homicide, despite significant investments and high expectations surrounding the initiative.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
City of São Paulo
In the capital itself, the rise in violent crime was even more pronounced. Femicide rates surged by 24%, with the number of women murdered rising from 25 in the first half of 2024 to 31 in the same period this year. Meanwhile, intentional homicides in the city also increased sharply, rising by 12%. A total of 248 such incidents were registered between January and June 2025, compared to 221 over the same timeframe in 2024.
Decrease in Robberies and Murders
Conversely, crimes against property showed a notable decline. Across the state, total robberies dropped by 15% in the first half of 2025. Authorities recorded 85,530 robbery incidents during this period, compared to 100,978 cases reported in the first half of 2024. In the capital, the decline was slightly smaller but still significant, with 19,176 incidents reported this year versus 22,131 last year, a 13% reduction. The number of murders occurring during robberies also fell markedly. These incidents dropped from 89 in 2024 to 69 in 2025, representing a substantial 22% decrease.
Smart Sampa Surveillance Program
Launched by São Paulo City Hall in 2024, Smart Sampa was introduced as Latin America’s largest video surveillance initiative, with plans to deploy up to 20,000 cameras citywide. The centralized control center operates 24/7, and monthly investment in the program reaches approximately R$10 million.
Indicators
According to municipal data, the current network now includes over 31,000 cameras throughout São Paulo. Since its implementation, Smart Sampa has contributed to the arrest of 2,965 individuals caught in the act, the capture of 1,558 fugitives from justice, and the location of 79 missing persons. The fugitive apprehension data covers the period from September 2024 to July 31, 2025, while statistics on arrests in flagrante delicto and located missing persons have been tracked since February 2024.
No Apparent Improvement
Despite its scale and cost, a study by the Center for Security and Citizenship Studies (CESeC) titled “Smart Sampa monitors but does not protect” concluded that the system has not led to significant reductions in theft, robbery, or homicide rates. Furthermore, the program has not improved police productivity in meaningful ways—key metrics such as arrests and executed court orders have shown no substantial changes following implementation.
Analysis:
The recent crime data from São Paulo reveals a troubling increase in violent crimes against life during the first half of 2025, particularly in femicides and intentional homicides. The 24% rise in femicides in the city and the overall increase in homicides across the state raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of existing protection mechanisms for women and broader violence prevention strategies. While the decline in robbery rates is notable and suggests progress in certain areas of law enforcement, it does not mitigate the gravity of rising lethal violence.
The Smart Sampa surveillance initiative, launched with high expectations and significant investment, has yet to produce measurable improvements in key public security outcomes. Despite contributing to individual arrests and the location of missing persons, its broader impact on reducing crime and enhancing police productivity remains limited.
