The event aims to discuss violent organized crime in Latin America and identify promising strategies for its reduction in the context of Rio de Janeiro, based on national and international experiences...

Instituto 12 and Leme – Laboratory for Violence Reduction Host Four of the World’s Leading Experts in Organized Crime and Public Security Policies in Latin America

The 19th Meeting of the Brazilian Public Security Forum (FBSP), held from August 13 to 15 in Manaus, fostered debates on the challenges of public security in the Amazon, linking local complexities to the global urgencies of the climate emergency and the protection of cities and the forest. In the panel “Safe Cities for Whom? Dialogues on Public Security at the Local Level,” Ramon Chaves, project leader at Leme, shared reflections on the role of municipalities in reducing street crime in medium and large cities, highlighting the advantages of municipal action, the evidence connecting the urban environment to criminal dynamics, and the impact of recent regulatory changes, such as the Supreme Federal Court (STF) decision recognizing the role of Municipal Guards in ostensive policing.

The 3rd Workshop on Criminal Justice and Organized Crime took place on April 7–8, 2025, in Cali, Colombia, as part of the alliance between the World Bank, CAF, IDB, and the Laboratory for Justice and Criminal Policy. The event brought together experts and authorities from Latin America to discuss strategies against organized crime, such as focused deterrence, plea agreements, and cross-country collaboration. It also addressed challenges in evidence production, crime analysis, and conflict resolution mechanisms, as well as the importance of data and cooperation with civil society. Ramón Chaves, Project Leader at Leme, participated as a panelist in a session on institutional strategies in criminal justice. In his remarks, Ramón highlighted the importance of priority-setting, incorporating data scientists, and drawing on the experience of community health workers as a model for security policies.

The 1st Technical Meeting of the National Forum of Managers of the Socio-Educational Assistance System (FONACRIAD), held in São Paulo and promoted by the CASA Foundation, brought together managers from across the country, specialists and authorities to discuss guidelines for strengthening mental health in the socio-educational system.

The 2nd Technical Meeting of the National Network of Specialized Units for Combating Criminal Organizations (Renorcrim), held in Brasília, brought together representatives from state civil police forces across the country, the Federal Police, the Ministry of Justice, and institutions within the justice system to discuss integrated strategies to tackle organized crime. The program included roundtables, workshops, and discussions on new investigative methodologies, best practices, and challenges faced by security forces. At the meeting, Joana Monteiro, Director of Leme, worked alongside researcher Ana Paula Pellegrino and Project Leader Ramón Chaves in developing conceptual definitions of violent criminal organizations, territorial control, and criminal structures, based on applied research conducted with the event’s participants.