The city of São Paulo recorded 48 homicides in February, the highest number for that month since 2020 when 61 violent deaths were documented in the capital. In the first two months of this year, there were 94 homicides in total—a 16% increase compared to the same period in the previous year, when 81 incidents were recorded. The data, released on Monday by the Public Security Department (SSP), also shows increases in reports of intentional bodily injury and attempted homicide in São Paulo. Additionally, there was a slight rise in thefts. On a more positive note, the numbers show a decrease in both robberies and robberies followed by deaths, indicating some divergence among types of criminal activity in the city.
Recent Case
On Tuesday (01/04), a man was killed during an attempted robbery around lunchtime on Marginal Pinheiros, in the city’s West Zone. The victim, architect Jefferson Dias Aguiar, 43, was reportedly startled when he saw two motorcyclists approach a woman. In the confusion, he lost control of the car he was driving and collided with one of the motorcycles. One of the assailants responded by shooting him. Jefferson did not survive the attack, which took place in broad daylight and shocked residents of the area. The case reflects growing fears about daytime violence and the increasing boldness of urban criminals.
Concentration of Homicides
Homicide cases in São Paulo continue to be concentrated mainly in the central areas and on the city’s outskirts, with relatively few incidents occurring in upper- and middle-class neighborhoods. The racial breakdown of victims also reveals a troubling pattern. Among the 87 homicide victims whose skin color was recorded in official reports, 66 were Black or mixed-race, making up 76% of the total. This figure reflects ongoing racial disparities in violence and victimization across the capital and points to deeper structural inequalities that persist in urban safety and law enforcement responses.
Contrast with the Rest of the State
The rise in violent crime in São Paulo contrasts with trends seen across the rest of the state. A total of 417 homicides were recorded in São Paulo state during the first two months of the year—a 3.2% drop compared to the same period in 2024. The state also saw decreases in robberies, down 9.1%, and murders, down 15.2%. On the other hand, reports of rape rose by 13.5%, and thefts increased slightly by 1.6%. This contrast suggests that while the capital is experiencing a rise in lethal and non-lethal violence, other regions of the state are seeing modest improvements in their public security indicators.
Pinheiros Neighborhood
The 14th Police Precinct, located in the Pinheiros district of São Paulo’s West Zone, recorded the highest number of robbery complaints in the city during the first two months of the year. In total, 602 reports were filed—271 in January and 331 in February. This marks an increase over the same period in 2024 when 549 robberies were reported (226 in January and 323 in February). Other types of crime have also risen in the neighborhood: intentional bodily harm increased from 46 to 63 cases, reported rapes doubled from 3 to 6, and vehicle thefts rose from 92 to 107.
Death of Teens
The number of people aged 10 to 19 killed by São Paulo Military Police officers increased by 120% between 2022 and 2024, that is, since the beginning of the term of the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), and the inauguration of the Secretary of Public Security, Guilherme Derrite. This is what is indicated in the second edition of the report “Body Cameras in the Military Police of the State of São Paulo: changes in Policy and Impact on Adolescent Deaths”, produced by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP). In absolute numbers, 77 children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 died in police interventions in the state in 2024, more than double the 35 deaths recorded in 2022. Black youths make up the majority (67%) of the victims.
Analysis:
The recent rise in homicides and robberies in São Paulo, particularly in areas like Pinheiros, reflects broader systemic issues that extend beyond law enforcement. While policing strategies influence crime dynamics, they do not operate in isolation. Economic conditions, urban planning, and the role of businesses in handling stolen goods all contribute to the problem.
One key factor is the demand for stolen items, particularly smartphones and other electronics. The persistence of resale markets fuels theft and robbery. Additionally, the geographic displacement of crime—potentially driven by concentrated policing efforts in central areas—raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of purely repressive measures.
Ultimately, while São Paulo’s crime trends show some improvements in certain areas, the increase in homicides and urban violence calls for a broader strategy that includes economic oversight, social programs, and intelligence-driven investigations rather than relying solely on police presence.
