The drop in the number of homicides reaches 30%.
Crime rates have declined in all regions of the state, at the lowest rate since 2012, according to data from the Observatory Management of the Public Security and Penitentiary Administration Secretariat; comparing the months of January and July, Goiânia showed a decrease of (-35,18%), Aparecida de Goiânia (-40,54%), Formosa (-85,71%) and Novo Gama (-62,5%); “We have increased the budgets of the Military and Civil Police, delivered more than three thousand new weapons and will renew, in August, the entire fleet of vehicles used by the police forces: there will be more than 2.700 new vehicles,” says Secretary José Eliton.
Goiás 247 - Intentional homicides are in freefall in Goiás. In the first seven months of the year, crime statistics released by the Observatory Management of the Secretariat of Public Security and Penitentiary Administration (SSPAP) show a downward trend, confirming a continuous slowdown in this type of crime since the beginning of the year. The survey also shows that last month (July) recorded the lowest homicide rate since July 2012.
For the year, the drop in homicides reaches (-30,8%). Last January, 250 homicides were committed. In the following months, the decrease continued, with 240 cases registered in February, 224 in March, 211 in April, and 202 in May. June showed an even sharper drop, registering 174 cases. Finally, last month the number of homicides fell to 173 cases.
Homicides decreased in the main cities and regions of the state. Comparing the months of January and July, the metropolitan region of Goiânia showed a decrease of (-35,18%) in the capital and (-40,54%) in Aparecida de Goiânia. In Senador Canedo, homicides fell (-50%). In Anápolis, in central Goiás, the decrease in homicides was (-14,28%).
In the area surrounding the Federal District, the cities of Formosa, Novo Gama, and Valparaíso showed reductions of (-85,71%), (-62,5%), and (-16,66%), respectively. On the same basis of comparison, homicides decreased (-33,33%) in Rio Verde, in southwestern Goiás. Among the largest cities in Goiás, Luziânia and Águas showed positive fluctuations. The data is available on the website: www.ssp.go.gov.br.
“We are on the right track,” says José Eliton.
In highlighting the drop in homicide numbers in the state, the vice-governor and Secretary of Public Security and Penitentiary Administration, José Eliton, pointed out that in addition to the reduction in homicides, crime indicators have also decreased in other types of crimes such as rape and vehicle theft.
He attributes the published results to the integrated work of the police forces and the strong investments made in the corporations: “We have expanded the budgets of the Military and Civil Police, delivered more than three thousand new weapons, and in August we will renew the entire fleet of vehicles used by the police forces: there will be more than 2.700 new vehicles,” he said. The head of the SSPAP also confirmed that high-precision technological weapons are being acquired. “We are on the right track. There are established goals and we will not deviate from our objectives,” he emphasized.
Previously, during the installation of the Goiás-Bahia-Tocantins Border Subcommittee, held last week, José Eliton had already stated that "the country needs to reflect on what kind of culture we want: the culture of effective enforcement of sentences or the culture of impunity? We no longer have to treat criminals as heroes; what we have been doing is protecting law-abiding citizens. We have the courage to confront them," he said at the time.
Police forces will receive additional personnel.
Eliton also highlighted the importance of the new competitions launched by the Government of Goiás, which aims to reinforce the Goiás police forces to combat crime. Last Monday (1st), the notice for the Civil Police competition was published in the Official Gazette.
500 positions will be offered, with 280 for substitute police officer positions and 220 for substitute police clerk positions. Applications can be submitted from August 11th to 31st on the website of the Brazilian Center for Research in Evaluation and Selection and Promotion of Events (Cebraspe), of the University of Brasília (UnB), formerly Cespe/UnB (www.cespe.unb.br/concursos).
In addition to this competition, the Government of Goiás is preparing other selection processes to increase the number of personnel in the corporations that are part of the Secretariat of Public Security and Penitentiary Administration (SSPAP). Also within the Civil Police, 36 new positions for delegates will be made available.
For the Military Police, the competition foresees the filling of 2.420 vacancies for 3rd class soldiers, with the announcement of the notice expected on August 19th. 80 vacancies for PM officers will also be offered. The competition for the Fire Department will recruit 250 soldiers. In addition, the Consumer Protection Agency (Procon) will open 15 new positions.
Last June, José Eliton announced the hiring of 50% of those who passed the competitive exam for fingerprint experts. Of the 100 who passed, 50 professionals were called to work with the General Directorate of the Civil Police of the State of Goiás. They have already completed the training course and will reinforce the number of police officers who perform post-mortem fingerprinting for the scientific identification of bodies.
Also in June of this year, the 230 professionals approved in the public competition held in 2015 are already reinforcing the staff of the state's Forensic Science Police. 75 forensic doctors, 30 autopsy assistants, and 125 criminal experts were called up.