Niterói is one of the main cities in the state of Rio de Janeiro and home to almost 500,000 people. The city, known as the Smile City, is recognized by its excellent quality of life.
515,317
129.39 km2
Niterói has a program focused on preventing crime and reducing urban violence through an integrated approach that goes beyond law enforcement’s actions, bringing society as an important part of decision making in issues related to public safety.
This program, Niterói’s Pact Against Violence (Pacto Niterói Contra a Violência), is a six year old initiative developed around four principal themes: Coexistence and Engagement of Citizens, Policing and Justice, Prevention, and Integrated Territorial Action.
The main goal of the Pact is to promote a culture of peace and strengthen the city’s security through the implementation of long-term policies. Important initiatives implemented through the Pac include the creation of the Integrated Public Security Center.
The Center is responsible for city monitoring, and for policies focused on encouraging the professional qualification of low-income young people, such as the Youth EcoSocial (Jovem EcoSocial), which provides scholarships for young citizens to obtain professional training, and Savings for School (Poupança Escola), a financial incentive that seeks to reduce school dropout rates.
Like elsewhere in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the greatest challenge in relation to urban violence in Niteroi is the high rate of assaults and robberies. In addition to that, the city has high rates of social and racial inequality which also affect crime rates significantly, leading especially young people to enter cycles of crime and violence in order to find opportunities.
From 2014 to 2018, the city increased its investments on public security by 360%. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a significant drop of 49% in the rate of street robberies.
The program Jovem EcoSocial, has reached 500 students from 24 different regions of the city. In 2022, the program Poupança Escola expanded its range and began to include students from elementary school until high school, benefiting 5,000 students.
increase in city investments on public security from 2014-2018.
decrease in street robberies from 2018 to 2019.
students have been reached in 24 regions of the city by the program Jovem EcoSocial.
students benefitted from the program Poupança Escola in 2022
In recent years, Niterói has taken the decision to tackle the problem of violence through a comprehensive approach. In addition to the police work, through Niterói’s Pact Against Violence we have invested in educational programs such as Poupança Escola, in technology, with electronic fencing, and in creating opportunities for the most vulnerable young people, with Niterói Jovem EcoSocial. Public safety is a growing challenge that is increasingly impacting cities. That's why it's important to have a dialogue with other municipalities, exchanging experiences on public policies as we do through Peace In Our Cities,
Mayor Axel Grael
