Brazilian public fears of crime surge ahead of 2026 elections

A recent report by the Brazilian Forum of Public Safety (FBSP) shows that violence has become the top issue for voters as the 2026 elections approach. Almost half of Brazilians say they are afraid to walk in their neighborhoods after dark, and over 80% fear being robbed at gunpoint. About 30% view crime and violence as the most urgent national problem. The FBSP cites nearly one million cell‑phone thefts per year and that 13% of the population – roughly 22 million people – have lost a family member or acquaintance to homicide.

The report links the rise in violence to urban dynamics and the growing influence of armed groups, especially in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, where up to 42% of residents live under the control of gangs or militias. It notes that criminal revenue now comes not only from drug trafficking but also from financial fraud, cyber‑crime, and coercive services tied to informal housing projects. Past initiatives such as Favela Bairro and the Pacifying Police Units attempted to combine security with social infrastructure, but their impact has been limited. Recent community‑center models inspired by Medellín have shown modest reductions in violence, suggesting that policing must be paired with comprehensive urban and social policies.