Homicides in the Novo Aleixo Neighborhood in Manaus (2023–2025):

An Approach Based on Crime Ecology Theory

Abstract

Violence in the peripheral areas of the city of Manaus has a historical character and results from multiple factors, ranging from domestic conflicts to crimes related to disputes over territorial control for the commercialization and distribution of drugs. Within this context, the Novo Aleixo neighborhood is embedded in this dynamic, standing out negatively in violence rankings due to its high homicide rates. In view of this scenario, the present article aims to investigate intentional homicides that occurred in the Novo Aleixo neighborhood, located in the Northern Zone of Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, during the period from 2023 to 2025. During the period analyzed, Novo Aleixo ranked as the second neighborhood with the highest incidence of intentional homicides, revealing a context of pronounced social vulnerability and intense disputes among criminal groups. This study adopts a quantitative and qualitative approach, with an exploratory and descriptive nature, using official statistical data from the Integrated Center for Public Security Statistics (CIESP-SSP/AM), institutional documents, and geoprocessing information as sources. The interpretation of the results was grounded in a literature review articulated with the theory of crime ecology, seeking to understand homicides as phenomena associated with social disorganization, urban space degradation, and conflicts over territorial control. The findings indicate that, during the period analyzed, there was a significant reduction in homicides in the region (74.7%), with most cases associated with conflicts between criminal factions and disputes related to drug trafficking. This context underscores the need for integrated public policies that combine strengthened policing with investments in sanitation, housing, and socioeconomic inclusion.