Mato Grosso cuts crime up to 75% after $2 billion security overhaul

Since 2019 the state of Mato Grosso has invested roughly R$ 2 billion in its public‑security system, upgrading weapons, expanding videomonitoring and increasing police personnel. The new standard sidearm is the Glock pistol, and the "Vigia Mais MT" program has installed modern cameras—some with facial‑recognition and licence‑plate reading—across all 142 municipalities, giving the state the highest camera density in Brazil (7.9 cameras per 1,000 residents).

According to State Security Secretary Colonel PM Susane Tamanho, the first woman to hold the post, these measures have led to sharp drops in key crime indicators between 2019 and 2025: robberies fell 75%, vehicle thefts 71% and intentional homicides 16%. The administration also emphasises a "Zero Tolerance" strategy against criminal factions and expanded protection services for women.

The government says the investment will continue, with further equipment purchases, personnel growth and technological upgrades to sustain and deepen the decline in criminal activity.