National Security Force to start operating in Rio on Monday

A 300-personnel reinforcement from the National Force sent to Rio last week will be deployed on the streets on Monday (May 15), as part of an operation that will initially focus on cargo theft and organized crime. The first activities will be concentrated on the northern area of the city, near the Chapadão and Pedreira slums, where most of the attacks on trucks have occurred.

The operation was announced by Rio State Deputy Secretary for Security Roberto Alzir.

“We are going to use these reinforcements to control criminal violence. We are boosting security on freeways as well,” Alzir said.

He pointed out no raids will be carried out in slums—instead, the National Force will set up sieges in surrounding areas.

Besides the recent 300-men reinforcement, another 125 officers have been in Rio since February when they took over security during a police strike and to control riots during state legislature votes on austerity measures.

Translated by Mayra Borges