The Crime and Violence Prevention Program in Pernambuco State is a partnership between UNODC, the Secretariat for Violence and Drug Prevention (SJDHPV), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) and the Igarapé Institute.
Using an integrated and collaborative approach, the initiative seeks to develop and share knowledge and innovative methodologies that can reinforce both social and situational actions to prevent crime and violence.
The partnership with the state of Pernambuco is one of the pillars of this cooperation, aiming to consolidate a prevention perspective that not only strengthens community protective factors, but also acts effectively to mitigate the risk factors faced by the population.
Since its launch, the Crime and Violence Prevention Program in Pernambuco State has recorded notable progress in the fight against violence and crime. One of the areas of action involves the training of public security agents and social professionals, who are trained in violence prevention techniques based on scientific evidence and respect for human rights.
Furthermore, the initiative has promoted the redevelopment of public spaces, such as parks and squares, transforming them into places for meetings and social interaction, which contributes to reducing opportunities for committing crimes.
Another relevant aspect is community engagement, which has been stimulated through programs that encourage the active participation of citizens in public security. This includes everything from creating networks of vigilant neighbors to organizing community security forums, spaces where the population can express their concerns and collaborate directly with authorities in formulating prevention strategies.
The adoption of advanced technologies also plays a fundamental role in this process, with the implementation of video monitoring and data analysis systems to optimize police operations and public security management. These tools allow for a faster and more efficient response to incidents of violence, in addition to facilitating the planning of preventive actions based on concrete information.
In addition to measures focused on security and urbanism, the Crime and Violence Prevention Program in Pernambuco State addresses the root causes of violence through interventions in the areas of education and health. Educational programs aimed at young people seek to offer alternatives to involvement in crime, while drug addiction treatment initiatives aim to reduce one of the factors that often contribute to the escalation of violence.
This multifaceted approach has proven to be effective in reducing violence and crime rates in Pernambuco, highlighting the potential of integrated prevention strategies. Pernambuco, therefore, not only offers a replicable model for other regions facing similar challenges, but also reinforces the importance of collaboration between different sectors of society in building safer and more resilient communities.
