The majority of Brazilians living in the southern city of Sao Paulo feel insecure and dissatisfied with the services provided by the government, Press TV reports.

The Brazilian Institute of Surveys and Statistics revealed 91 percent of residents in Brazil’s largest city feel the need for greater police protection and more entertainment facilities, according to reports on Wednesday. 

The opinion poll has recorded a 47 percent satisfaction in living standards -- being the worst since four years ago -- and 56 percent of Brazilians would prefer to leave the city. 

Sao Paulo’s 11 million residents have seen an increase of crime rates since 2009, which has heightened anxiety levels among the public. 

“The fact is that 100 percent of the population is scared. The situation of public safety in the city of Sao Paulo is shameful. The gangs are in command and the state governor is responsible for that,” Sao Paulo Commissioner Laercio Benko Lopes said.

Social science experts say the rise in violence across the city comes from social inequality and inadequate public services such as libraries, parks or culture centers. 

Crime prevention on the streets of Sao Paulo comes with tens of thousands of civil and military police officers, which 60 percent of people in the city say they do not trust. 

“The police are working the streets with more than 100,000 officers,” Governor of Sao Paulo Geraldo Alckmin said and added, “We have increased the number of officers to act extensively to reduce crime.” 

On October 31, 2012, the government launched a key anti-crime operation aimed at reducing major offenses, following a rise in killings in the area