Public Safety

With Lula and Dilma, Brazil multiplies investments and changes the focus of public safety policy

From R$ 3.73 billion in 2002 to R$ 7.95 billion in 2014. That was the jump in the volume of resources invested by the federal government in public safety. But the distance between the new security policy implemented by Lula and Dilma and the old one imposed by previous governments goes far beyond the total investment. Lula and Dilma changed the focus, acting not only on repression but also in crime prevention.

Investments in public security jumped from R$ 3.73 billion in 2002 to R$ 7.95 billion in 2014; focus is no longer only crime repression, but also prevention Photo: Fábio Rodrigues Pozzebom/Agency Brasil

The differences between the two models become clear, for example, through the performance of the Federal Police. Before, besides having been minimally and poorly equipped, the PF was prevented from acting in situations involving allies of the opposition government. Under Lula and Dilma, the Federal Police received better funding, equipment and autonomy. Other significant differences: implementation of the security concept respecting citizenship and government action in favor of the most vulnerable populations, especially young people on the peripheries of large urban areas.

Partnership with states and municipalities replaces wash-your-hands-of-it and kick-the-can-down-the-road policies

Gogole+ Facebook

Instead of outright repression, crime prevention. Instead of washing one's hands of the problem with the argument that pubic safety is the obligation of state governments, there is now a federal government committed to building partnerships and supporting states and municipalities. This is how Lula and Dilma have changed the focus of safety policy as of 2003 and, simultaneously, boosted investment in public safety.

In these 12 years, the federal government has been a constant partner with state governments, both in structuring actions, as in Rio de Janeiro and Alagoas, as well as in emergency situations, as happened in São Paulo, Bahia, Goiás, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte.

Español
English

Palavra do Lula

Gogole+ Facebook

Safety is everyone's responsibility

"I even think that here in São Paulo organized crime almost has the force of a political organization. This demonstrates the failure of the security policy imposed by the state government. Because here in Brazil, unlike other parts of the world, safety is the responsibility of the states. But it is a problem for which I believe we must not transfer responsibility. It is worldwide. It is mine, is Dilma's, it is the governor's, the mayor's, it is that of the ordinary people. We all need to take responsibility, because it is an evil that damages our country. And it particularly harms poor youths, the vast majority of whom are black, on the peripheries of our beloved country."

Google+Facebook

Palavra da Dilma

Gogole+ Facebook

No one wins the war against crime all by them-selves

"With the PAC 2, we have created an entire line of infrastructure investment, to ensure health, education, leisure etc. At the same time we implemented actions, namely the Police Pacification Units [UPP]. They enter, occupy territory and also conduct activities for the mothers, the so-called women or mothers of peace, and also protect young people. We must turn a territory of war into a territory of peace. (...)partnerships with the states are crucial. No one fights crime alone. You only fight crime by putting together programs between federal, state and municipal governments. If not, you can not win [the war]."

Google+Facebook

Palavra do Povo

Gogole+ Facebook

Sidney Argolo, community leader in Salvador/BA

"When we are alive, we're imprisoned. When we are not imprisoned, we're dead. And this is a diagnosis that goes beyond Brazilian and even world statistics. It's a big concern."

Google+Facebook

Palavra do Povo

Gogole+ Facebook

André Lopes, resident of Salgueiro, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) about the Protection for At risk Youths Project (Protejo)

"At first, Protejo (social project) it was every man for himself and God for all. Today, we say that it is a family. If I fall now, it would be my own fault. Just bad behavior. Because now I have support. I have someone to turn to."

Here the testimony of André Lopes about the "Security and Citizenship" project (Getúlio Vargas Foundation, organizers Marieta de Moraes Ferreira and Ângela Brito).

Google+Facebook

Palavra do Povo

Gogole+ Facebook

Solange Nery, a resident of the Batan community/RJ

"I always liked to live in my community, but before the UPP got here I did not like it because we were oppressed by the traffickers. It was a very bad thing, the children could not go outside, they went out until eight in the evening, at eight in the evening they were all indoors. There were shootings, violence, people doing the wrong thing on the street, we were very oppressed. Then the UPP arrived in our community and changed everything, it changed the history of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is now a very good one, there's water aerobics for seniors, sports for children, swimming for children, football ... "