The Homicide Drop in Recife, Brazil

Abstract

Studies in crime concentrations have focused primarily on North America with a rather restrictive set of crime types. In this article, we analyze the crime concentrations and spatial patterns of homicide in Recife, Brazil. Brazil’s homicide rates have remained stable but at high levels, approximately 30 homicides per 100,000. Some places have experienced notable decreases in homicide: In Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, there has been a drop in the homicide rate of 46.67%, 2000 to 2012. We analyzed the decline of homicides finding that it continues to be highly concentrated, but the decrease has not been uniform.