Policy & Civic Health · Indicator 5
Relationship with law enforcement
What this indicator asks
What is the relationship between São Paulo’s nightlife scene and the police? Are some communities treated differently, and how has this changed?
not scored
A total of 62% of survey respondents in São Paulo say the police would be helpful if something went wrong.
An expert said independent producers sometimes get police attention only when the police come to end the party, and that police support at large events depends on being well connected at City Hall. Another expert said the police treat people differently by race, class and neighbourhood:
“And we know the police treat white middle-class people, straight people, and people with more money differently. I mean, they will treat the rich kid at a club in Itaim Bibi much better than the poor Black person…at a bar in Itaim Paulista.”
An expert proposed training for the police, including on how to deal with an intoxicated person or with a trans person who has just experienced transphobia.