Ahead of World Cup, Rio boosts police presence following crime surge
Reuters
2014-05-05
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As the World Cup approaches, officials in Rio de Janeiro are beefing up security.
An additional 2,000 police officers hit the city's streets on Monday following a recent surge in violence.
Brazil is expected see 600,000 tourists for the World Cup and some 400,000 in Rio alone.
City officials say the boost in police officers came in response to recent attacks on police units operating in the slums known as 'favelas.'
Just last week, violence erupted near the Royal Tulip luxury hotel where England's soccer team will reside during the tournament.
A local gang clashed with police. One man was shot and killed.
It's that same violence that some residents hope to avoid.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RETIRED RESIDENT OF COPACABANA, WALTER FIGUEIREDO, SAYING:
"I don't leave the house at night so I can't speak to that. In my situation, I stay here until eleven or eleven thirty and I don't leave the beach. I'm afraid to go to the theater at night or go s
An additional 2,000 police officers hit the city's streets on Monday following a recent surge in violence.
Brazil is expected see 600,000 tourists for the World Cup and some 400,000 in Rio alone.
City officials say the boost in police officers came in response to recent attacks on police units operating in the slums known as 'favelas.'
Just last week, violence erupted near the Royal Tulip luxury hotel where England's soccer team will reside during the tournament.
A local gang clashed with police. One man was shot and killed.
It's that same violence that some residents hope to avoid.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RETIRED RESIDENT OF COPACABANA, WALTER FIGUEIREDO, SAYING:
"I don't leave the house at night so I can't speak to that. In my situation, I stay here until eleven or eleven thirty and I don't leave the beach. I'm afraid to go to the theater at night or go s
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