Thousands of police expected on Rio streets
The samba school parades at the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome should be accompanied by 529 police agents, including men from the Riot Control and the Mounted Police.
Some 15.5 thousand officers are expected to join forces in patrolling the city every day from February 6 to 9, according to the Carnival planning made public today by the Military Police.
The samba school parades at the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome should be accompanied by 529 police agents, including men from the Riot Control and the Mounted Police. This year, the Integrated Mobile Command and Control Center will also help police the city center.
To cope with the demand, the Military Police has called all officers on vacation and should relocate those who work in administrative positions to street patrolling.
Budget difficulties made it impossible for cities in Baixada Fluminense—an impoverished area stricken by high crime rates—to organize its carnival festivities. On that account, the Military Police will reduce the number of agents in the region and move relocate forces to places where larger crowds can be served, like the beach line in Barra da Tijuca, a district in western Rio de Janeiro.
After brawls and a homicide during street parties last weekend, Colonel Cláudio Lima Freire, state head for Rio, stated that the murder case has been brought under investigation by the Civil Police.
On the number of police officers on the streets, the colonel avoided using the word “enough”, but said the police has based their numbers on past patrolling routines. Compared to last year, 122 extra officers will be seen on the streets.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Thousands of police expected on Rio atreets
