Robberies fall with social isolation, but domestic violence rises

Theft and robbery rates in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro fell as the states engage in social isolation measures to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. Per the Institute of Public Security of Rio de Janeiro, street robberies fell 52 percent, carjackings dropped 36 percent, and cargo theft was down 46 percent in March — compared to one year ago.

In São Paulo, a survey by the Public Security Secretariat showed that recorded incidents of theft, robbery, carjacking, and cargo theft between March 20 and April 7 decreased by 65%, 40%, 41.5%, and 31%, compared to the same period in 2019.

The number of murders in Rio de Janeiro remained stable compared to March of last year, with 350 recorded homicides last month, compared to 344 in 2019. In São Paulo, there was an increase of 10 percent, from 199 murders last year to 219 in 2020.

On the other hand, cases of domestic violence increased. In São Paulo, state prosecutors reported that restraining order requests increased 29 percent, while in flagrante arrests rose 51 percent in March. And information from the Rio de Janeiro justice system showed a 50 percent increase in cases of violence against women.

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