Crime and Insecurity in Amazonas: Citizens and Officers’ Views

Abstract

This article analyzes how crime and insecurity are perceived by local population and criminal justice officers in the Brazilian State of Amazonas. The research was based on focus group methodology with 41 interviewees. The data were gathered in Manaus (Amazonas’ Capital) and in Tefé (countryside). The following issues have emerged from the data: 1 – the increase of drug related violence in the state, 2 – the lack of infrastructure to deal with crime, 3 – the tense relationship between police and society. The reasons for violence growth are shared by all interviewees. They stress problems arisen from urbanization and families’ disaggregation. They do not see environmental problems or land conflicts as the main problems of violence in Amazonas. The research stresses the need to develop policies in accordance with the particularities of Amazonas that is a drug-corridor from Colombia and Peru. Existing research about crime and violence in Amazonas does not focus on the urban areas and the views of police and criminal justice officers. This article explores this gap.