Homicide Rate Increases 12.5% in Salvador, Brazil, in 2012

On January 20, 2013, A Tarde reported that the homicide rate for the Salvador Metropolitan Area increased 12.5% in 2012.  Monthly reports from the local Public Security Office and news data from November and December counted 2,391 deaths, 300 more than in 2011.  Public Security will not comment on the numbers until official statistics for November and December are reported, according to Maurício Teles Barbosa, the secretary responsible for the reports.  Experts say the reason for the increase could be the lack of public funding for anti-crime operations, particularly those against local organized crime syndicates.  Read Article