Gang Violence in São Paulo

Brazil doesn't usually make the news. It generally takes something very good (Brazil's very effective use of ethanol fuel) or something very bad for the South American heavy-weight to make it into U. S. news. The most recent of these appearences is because of the rampant gang violence that has been plaguing the streets of São Paulo for the past week or so that has left almost 200 people dead. I was born and raised in Brazil and spent most of my developing years in São Paulo, the thriving industrial power house inhabited by 18 million people. Violence has always been a reality in the São Paulo-Rio corridor, and until recently, São Paulo could boast that its crime rate was at least lower than its sandy-beached counterpart. Not anymore.

Close friends and relatives of mine have been kidnapped and robbed. Fortunately, I don't know anyone who has been killed as a result of street violence. When I was a senior in high school, a junior at our school was kidnapped and gone for two weeks before her parents were able to negociate the ransom. My cousin was abducted in a "flash kidnapping." She and her boyfriend had guns pressed to their heads while they emptied their accounts at ATM machines before being released. This same cousin also had to barter with a criminal, telling him to take her car instead of kidnapping her. My brother spent a holiday at the beach with his friends last year. The house in which they were staying was broken into. They came with guns. His money and most of his belongings were stolen, along with that of his counterparts. Although I have never been a direct victim of violence, it has hit pretty close to home.

The recent events in São Paulo reflect a worsening reality. Violent crime is a very serious problem, and it encroaches on one's freedom to move about the city. Police brutality is another major problem in São Paulo. The force is genereally underpaid and riddled with corruption. It is a known fact that one of the weapons sources for criminals is the police. This latest boom of violence brings to the fore the many problems facing Brazilian law enforcement, and it's not just keeping gangs under control. Human rights groups brought attention to the fact that police officers in clashes with supposed gang members shoot to kill with little discernment between who is shooting back and who is caught in the crossfire. Many of those killed in the clashes have not been identified, and some identities have not been released. Those with family members who have been gone for days have no way of knowing their fate. This is organized crime against a disorganized, corrupt, and power-hungry police force. Sometimes is hard to tell the good guys and bad guys apart.