Diadema's historic plunging homicide rate, when government and civil society join forces Diadema, considered one

of the most violent cities in the state of So Paulo, Brazil, saw homicides fall by 80% thanks to a public security plan that involved city hall, state government, civil society and the police. Starting in 2000 the project combined visible policing and violence prevention measures with programs for at risk children and adolescents, and in six years it made the number of homicides drop from 31 to 6 per month. Civil society participation was the keystone in the success of Diademas Municipal Public Security Plans. In Public Security Forums, representatives from civil society, the town hall and state offices, discussed local problems related to security and proposed solutions. In addition, Municipal Security Councils gathered representatives from town hall of the areas of security, health, education and urban development in order to develop intra-secretariat policies with one same goal: ending violence. In order to quickly lower homicide rates, the Plan started with the creation of programs such as the Teen Apprentice Project; an integration of the Civil and Military Police forces with the Municipal Civil Guard; the Last Call Law (that has bars close at 11pm); as well as an improvement public lighting; the installation of security cameras; and the launching disarmament campaigns for both real and toy guns. In a second phase, the project sought to refine and deepen its earlier actions and incorporated an evaluation and monitoring of its impact. The enforcement of the Last Call Law was perfected, adding more security cameras and investing in professionals training for Municipal Guards. A broad conflict mediation policy was implemented, to avoid perpetual resorting to the police. The Municipal Security Plan also brought advances in the areas of management and urbanization. As an example, less than 1% of the municipal population lives in slums today, compared to 3% before the plan. Advances in the management of public policies jointly implemented by the different public offices are also pointed as positive effects: Public security is not done with policing alone.

Prevention should be done in the urban environment and has to include sports, culture, hobbies, education and health, Secretary of Social Defense Regina
Miki explains. But the recent advances do not mean that the work on public security has come to an end. Despite the fact that Diadema can be considered a safe city, there is still a lot to do: issues of firearms easy-availability and alcohol sales to underage are still to be addressed and new crimes are to be fought such as crimes against property and drug trafficking. This is no miracle. Both sides, the state and civil society, have to be willing. The challenges continue since now we cant lose what we have already won, NGO representative Mariana Montoro concludes. Translated by Catherine Griffith