If you’re heading to the World Cup in Brazil this summer and you encounter any armed criminals, remember to keep your mouth shut.
That’s the advice to fans from police in São Paulo, who are handing out leaflets advising fans that if they are faced by armed muggers: “Do not react, do not yell or argue.”
The idea comes from police officer Mário Leite, from the São Paulo World Cup Management Committee. São Paulo is one of the host cities and its Itaquerao stadium (photo, top) will host the opening match between Brazil and Croatia (even though it isn’t quite finished yet). He said: “Tourists coming from Europe or the US don’t come frequently and aren’t used to seeing these types of crimes. Since they’re not used to it, they will react to an assault. With the pamphlets, they know not to flaunt certain objects, to be careful at night and to only walk around if accompanied.”
There were 385 latrocinos, robberies that end in murder, in the state of São Paulo last year, a nine-year high.
Brazilian police and armed forces are staging a huge counter-terrorism and anti-crime operation to keep the six hundrd thousand expected foreign visitors safe.
Yesterday, troops took part in a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro (photo, above) to show off the kind of military might the country is ready to use to combat any trouble.
Some thirty thousand troops have been deployed to patrol the country’s borders with ten nations and to keep the peace in the twelve host cities. As part of a no-fly zone enforced over cities hosting games on 12 and 13 July, an estimated sixteen thousand passengers will have their flights diverted.
Brazil is braced for more protests, following the riots that accompanied the Confederations Cup in the country last year. More than one million Brazilians took to the streets last year to protest against high ticket prices, perceived widespread corruption, and the rising cost of living for ordinary people.
Brazil’s sports minister, Aldo Rebelo, says there will only be “very small” protests.
Police have stepped up efforts to clamp down on organised crime in Rio, with fourteen hundred officers and marines taking part in raids in the city’s slums in March.
Rico says he couldn't afford to go anyway, but he'd scream; fuck 'em...
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