The first weekend of spring was marked by high temperatures and a feeling of insecurity on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Eighty people were arrested and taken to police stations in the Copacabana neighborhood, South Zone, on Sunday (24/09), by Military Police who were patrolling the beach sand during Operation Verão.
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In total, according to the corporation, 135 approaches were made, and nine knives were seized with suspects. Images circulating on social media show the mass robberies taking place in Copacabana Beach. There have also been cases of depredation of buses. According to reports from residents, these people were robbing drivers and pedestrians.
Buses Were Destroyed
With reports of robberies, thefts and mass robberies, locals and tourists had to pay extra attention when moving around the city and returning home. According to Rio Ônibus, around 100 vehicles were attacked by criminals this weekend alone. Of these, 25 will be out of circulation indefinitely.
Sunday Marked by Arrests
Only on Sunday, a group of 34 teenagers and 12 adults were taken to the police station after a disturbance at bus stops on Avenida Princesa Isabel, in Copacabana. According to police information, at around 18:30, the group passed in front of the bus stop throwing stones at people.
Police Attacked on Leme Beach
On Sunday there was also confusion and rush in Praia do Leme, South Zone. In the late afternoon, Military Police (PM) were called to respond to an incident of mass robberies. During the action, officers were attacked and had objects thrown at them. After the incident, policing was reinforced in the region.
Recidivism
The PM highlighted that in the groups of people detained during incidents on the coast, there are often people in a vulnerable situation, making their context of instability and recidivism broad. A study by the corporation found that, between 1 January and 31 August, 1,953 arrests and 459 seizures were made of teenagers involved in robberies and thefts. Of this total, 287 (11.9%) were repeat offenders.
Operation Summer
When the high temperatures come to Rio, particularly during the Summer, but often, before that, the scenario described above becomes routine in the tourist neighborhoods. To fight it, authorities created Operation Summer, which uses extra personnel and vehicles to repress the increase in thefts and robberies. In the future, quad bikes will be acquired to patrol the sand and tents will be used as support points for police officers. Agents carry out overt policing, approaches and escorts buses leaving the capital’s beaches towards the Center and North Zone regions, always at the end of the day.
