---
title: "Brazilians develop own crime solutions amid election focus"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/brazilians-develop-own-crime-solutions-amid-election-focus"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/brazilians-develop-own-crime-solutions-amid-election-focus"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/brazilians-develop-own-crime-solutions-amid-election-focus.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/brazilians-develop-own-crime-solutions-amid-election-focus"
category: "Politics"
published: "2026-09-27T15:25:28.660Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-27T11:34:31.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T15:25:28.660Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-27T18:45:09.104230+00:00"
---

# Brazilians develop own crime solutions amid election focus

*As candidates debate tough stances, Rio residents launch community-led initiatives to combat gang influence and violence.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. One outlet provided a full report, while 25 others provided digests, with the central claim attributed to the AP.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The full report provided specific examples of local initiatives and attributed claims to named individuals.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism or manufactured urgency.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Crime is the leading concern for Brazilian voters in the upcoming presidential election, with candidates vying to present the most stringent anti-crime policies.
- In Rio de Janeiro, residents are implementing independent initiatives to address crime, such as former gang members creating podcasts and mothers working to deter youth from joining criminal groups.
- Many residents, community leaders, and experts view the current strategy of armed police confrontations with criminal factions as ineffective and leading to unnecessary deaths.
- Community-led projects offer alternatives like martial arts training, educational talks, psychological support, and vocational courses to steer young people away from crime.

Crime has emerged as the primary concern for Brazilians as they approach the October presidential election. Candidates are actively promoting their strategies for tackling the pervasive issue, aiming to present the most effective and robust approaches. While political figures debate security policies, communities in Rio de Janeiro are independently developing their own methods to counter gang activity and violence. These grassroots efforts include former traffickers sharing their experiences through podcasts and mothers actively working to prevent the recruitment of young people into criminal organizations.

The prevailing strategy for combating crime in Brazil, which largely involves armed confrontations between police and criminal groups, is frequently criticised. Numerous residents, community leaders, and experts argue that this approach is inefficient and frequently results in the loss of innocent lives. In response, a variety of local initiatives have been established to offer alternatives and support. These projects aim to provide young people with pathways away from criminal involvement through education, skill development, and community engagement.

## Community-led crime prevention initiatives

One initiative, '01 Sobreviventes' (01 Survivors), features former drug traffickers discussing their past criminal lives and the dangers associated with them in weekly podcast episodes. The project, launched in 2024, aims to discourage individuals from engaging in or continuing criminal activities by highlighting the negative consequences. Another program, Abraco Campeao (Embrace Champions), founded in 2014, provides free martial arts classes in boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and capoeira, alongside educational discussions, to youth in Rio's favelas. The founder, Alan Duarte, stated that the academy offers a sense of identity, respect, and belonging similar to what gangs provide.

The organization R3, established by Vanderson Rocha Silva, offers psychological assistance and vocational training in areas such as electricity and English. Silva, a former drug trafficker, believes that providing employment opportunities is crucial for individuals seeking to leave a life of crime. Nadia dos Santos runs a project focused on helping youth under 26 find jobs and training, a continuation of her son's social work after he was killed by police in 2022. Grieving mothers, including Maria Rubia Brito da Silva, whose son and grandson were killed, have also voiced concerns about the state's approach to security and the lack of opportunities for young people.

## Coverage comparison

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific community initiatives such as the '01 Sobreviventes' podcast, Abraco Campeao martial arts classes, or the R3 vocational training program that were detailed in the full report from Washington Top News and mentioned in some left and centre-rated digests.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 30 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 53% (16)
- Centre: 34% (10)
- Right: 13% (4)

1 of 31 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-27T18:45:09.104230+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 16 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-27T19:15:06.751Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Fifteen left-rated reports led with the idea that crime is a key issue in Brazil's upcoming October election. Most of these reports, which were digests, stated that the country's current approach to fighting crime favours armed confrontations between police and criminal groups, and that many residents, community leaders, and experts consider this approach inefficient and often resulting in indiscriminate loss of life. The Associated Press News digest mentioned that Rio residents are finding their own ways to tackle gangs. The Durango Herald digest included a caption about youth attending martial arts classes at Abraco Campeao, an academy offering free classes and educational talks.

### Centre

- Nine centre-rated reports stated that crime is the top concern for Brazilians ahead of the October presidential election, with candidates competing to offer the toughest approach. Washington Top News, which provided a full report, detailed several community-led initiatives. These included the podcast '01 Sobreviventes' by former traffickers, the martial arts academy Abraco Campeao, the vocational training organisation R3, and the efforts of grieving mothers to help youth. The other centre-rated reports, which were digests, focused on crime being a key issue and the criticism of the current approach to fighting it.

### Right

- Two right-rated reports stated that crime is a key issue in Brazil's upcoming October election and that the country's current approach to fighting crime favours armed confrontations between police and criminal groups. These reports also noted that many residents, community leaders, and experts say this approach is inefficient and often results in indiscriminate loss of life. Neither of the right-rated digests mentioned specific community initiatives.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 3
- high: 9
- unknown: 1
- veryHigh: 18

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/america-latina/residentes-de-rio-encuentran-formas-de-enfrentar-a-pandillas-mientras-delincuencia-marca-elecciones-b3057172.html) — Rio Residents Find Ways to Face Gangs While Crime Marks Elections
- [El Vocero de Puerto Rico](https://elvocero.com/el-mundo/residentes-de-r-o-encuentran-formas-de-enfrentar-a-pandillas-mientras-delincuencia-marca-elecciones/article_87c918c2-9f67-4406-b6c0-190bad1b816b.html) — Rio Residents Find Ways to Face Gangs While Crime Marks Elections
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/latin/11172664/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/09/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election – WTOP News
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/americas/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_11c51f74-dbf5-5ce6-8d44-9f7c44a65dbc.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/lifestyle/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election-12827840) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Bowen Island Undercurrent](https://bowenislandundercurrent.com/the-mix/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election-12827851) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [thealbertan.com](https://thealbertan.com/lifestyle/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election-12827840) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/rio-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-jair-bolsonaro-brazil-youtube-b3057084.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/brazil-rio-crime-election-gangs-814fa97cd9dd9923d0ddd6e2907a5244) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [abc News](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/rio-residents-find-tackle-gangs-crime-dominates-brazils-136794112) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil's election
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/rio-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-jair-bolsonaro-brazil-youtube-b3057084.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Beckley Register-Herald](https://register-herald.com/apnewsflow/nation/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_eaa839f5-42fd-563d-bd57-f601cf6564ce.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Hastings Tribune](https://hastingstribune.com/ap/lifestyle/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_1c9d9338-b9e4-5f55-9dd9-7d1b0591ef32.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Herald Bulletin](https://heraldbulletin.com/news/nation_world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_142f2d51-9f50-52c3-86f0-ee51b08974ef.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Daily Sentinel](https://dailysentinel.com/anpa/lifestyle/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_705da40c-5c96-5f25-9875-c6fafa014f99.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [GazetteXtra](https://gazettextra.com/news/nation_world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_2970b6db-addf-5144-b306-74ea638975ab.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Daily Record](https://dailyrecordnews.com/ap_news/international/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_6baa7278-302f-5484-a85d-998b371059f3.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Leader-Telegram](https://leadertelegram.com/news/world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_8f817c56-92a4-584f-a2a7-195a7b52c1c5.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Star Democrat](https://stardem.com/ap/world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_4b308893-8ae8-5865-b2e5-abd937d59091.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Batesville Daily Guard](https://guardonline.com/news/world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_bce0c8a8-8410-529e-931d-333509fb4f37.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Idaho State Journal](https://idahostatejournal.com/news/world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_1e836fc8-0c69-5d59-a4fb-a888ed257bd1.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Durango Herald](https://durangoherald.com/articles/associated-press/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/sep/27/residents-rio-find-way-tackle-gangs-crime-dominates-brazils-election) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil's election
- [Reflector](https://reflector.com/news/national/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_fe39ce50-53bf-505f-b698-b902c7e2afb3.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Daily Advance](https://dailyadvance.com/news/world/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_c3c01a25-bf33-57b8-aea4-b88c4341bd99.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/americas/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_7cc189c6-f93b-57fe-810d-e535ffbd5461.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/americas/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_381fad9f-c28e-597b-8a85-03a917fb427c.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/americas/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazil-s-election/article_a240491c-f715-5cb0-88e5-75f2d835ca73.html) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/09/27/rio-residents-find-their-own-way-to-tackle-gangs-as-crime-dominates-brazils-election) — Rio residents find their own way to tackle gangs as crime dominates Brazil’s election

## Questions

**What is the main concern for Brazilians in the upcoming election?**

Crime is the top concern for Brazilians ahead of the October presidential election. Candidates are competing to present the most effective and toughest approaches to address this deep-seated problem.

**What are some of the community-led initiatives in Rio de Janeiro?**

Residents have launched initiatives such as '01 Sobreviventes,' a podcast by former traffickers; Abraco Campeao, offering free martial arts and educational talks to youth; and R3, providing psychological assistance and vocational courses. Mothers are also stepping up to prevent youth recruitment.

**What is the criticism of the current approach to fighting crime in Brazil?**

Many residents, community leaders, and experts argue that the current approach, which favours armed confrontations between police and criminal groups, is inefficient and often results in indiscriminate loss of life.

---

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