Brazil was chosen to draw lessons for South Africa because it is similar to South Africa in its distribution of wealth and its multiracial population. Also, rural poverty and drought have driven masses of people to large urban centers. Since Brazil is further along in its evolution than South Africa, it can provide pointers for South Africa in addressing violent crime. Consensus that crime is a major, if not the major, problem facing society is essential for the mobilization of the resources of state and society; such a consensus has emerged in Brazil. Decentralization of crime control is essential, since no two areas of the same country have the same patterns of crime or social/ethnic composition. Coordination of law enforcement agencies is critical, with an official in overall control who can make the decisions, take the responsibility, and set the tone. Effective policing is also essential; this involves restoring the credibility of the police, providing more police on patrol, instituting community policing, and focusing on organized crime. Other requirements for an effective crime control policy are an efficient judiciary, an effective drug-control policy, and a consensus among stakeholders on a strategy for countering violent crime. 1 table and a 41-item bibliography