São Paulo Security: Haddad Unveils Anti-Faction Agency and ‘AI Police’ Plan

Fernando Haddad, the Workers' Party (PT) candidate for governor of São Paulo, unveiled an ambitious security plan on August 10, 2026. The plan, which is a campaign promise rather than a current government policy, focuses on creating a new State Anti-Faction Agency and leveraging artificial intelligence to combat organized crime.

Haddad, the former finance minister, left the post in March 2026 to challenge Governor Tarcísio de Freitas in the upcoming election. The proposed anti-faction agency, Agência Estadual Antifacção, aims to bring together prosecutors, police, tax authorities and oversight bodies under one roof to target organized crime financially.

Utilizing data analysis, the artificial intelligence system will process camera footage, police reports and 190 emergency calls to create live crime 'heat maps', helping police commanders to steer patrols toward high-risk areas. The plan also includes a 'Security Scoreboard', which will publish quarterly reports on solved robberies, thefts, homicides and femicides, broken down by region, allowing voters to track performance and hold officials accountable.

The plan specifically targets the PCC, São Paulo's dominant prison-born gang, and proposes a permanent task force at Santos against transnational drug trafficking. Additionally, the AI platform will flag domestic-violence risk by cross-checking alerts and records to protect women earlier. The plan is a direct response to incumbent Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a right-wing ally of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Haddad argues that São Paulo's cameras are underutilized and proposes a software system to process the footage instead of just recording it. However, the effectiveness of the plan remains to be seen, as it will only take effect if Haddad wins the governor's race in October 2026.