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| Rio police tackle favelas as World Cup looms | Rio police tackle favelas as World Cup looms |
| (4 months later) | |
| It was perhaps not the wisest question to a gangland boss: how good is your gun? | It was perhaps not the wisest question to a gangland boss: how good is your gun? |
| "These guns are the best," said the Red Command patrão (neighbourhood boss), patting a Glock pistol with an extended 32-bullet clip. "I'll show you." With that, he pointed the barrel to the sky and let off a volley of half a dozen shots. "Do you understand now?" | "These guns are the best," said the Red Command patrão (neighbourhood boss), patting a Glock pistol with an extended 32-bullet clip. "I'll show you." With that, he pointed the barrel to the sky and let off a volley of half a dozen shots. "Do you understand now?" |
| The crackle of gunfire might have sparked consternation in many countries, but in this gang-controlled favela in the north of Rio de Janeiro, the sound was so commonplace that passersby barely broke stride. Three young gang members with Glocks and walkie-talkies looked up briefly and then continued chatting on the white plastic chairs that served as their sentry post. Drug users in the nearby crack den failed to stir at all. The police were nowhere in sight. | The crackle of gunfire might have sparked consternation in many countries, but in this gang-controlled favela in the north of Rio de Janeiro, the sound was so commonplace that passersby barely broke stride. Three young gang members with Glocks and walkie-talkies looked up briefly and then continued chatting on the white plastic chairs that served as their sentry post. Drug users in the nearby crack den failed to stir at all. The police were nowhere in sight. |
| This has been the norm in many parts of the city for much of the past two decades, and explains why one of the most oft-heard questions about the 2014 World Cup is "Will it be safe?" | This has been the norm in many parts of the city for much of the past two decades, and explains why one of the most oft-heard questions about the 2014 World Cup is "Will it be safe?" |
| For years, many of Rio's slums have been off-limits to the authorities, with gangland favelas regarded as ungovernable neighbourhoods. Racked by some of the highest murder and gun crime rates in the world, these districts have become as much a part of the city's image as beaches and carnival. | For years, many of Rio's slums have been off-limits to the authorities, with gangland favelas regarded as ungovernable neighbourhoods. Racked by some of the highest murder and gun crime rates in the world, these districts have become as much a part of the city's image as beaches and carnival. |
| But that is starting to change. A massive public security campaign is under way to improve public safety and has had some impressive results. Launched in 2008, the "pacification" programme has allowed police to regain control of dozens of favelas. | But that is starting to change. A massive public security campaign is under way to improve public safety and has had some impressive results. Launched in 2008, the "pacification" programme has allowed police to regain control of dozens of favelas. |
| Murder is down sharply. So is violent crime. Communities that were once too dangerous for rubbish collectors, health providers and social services are now accessible. The Red Command – Rio's biggest gang – is also feeling the impact. | Murder is down sharply. So is violent crime. Communities that were once too dangerous for rubbish collectors, health providers and social services are now accessible. The Red Command – Rio's biggest gang – is also feeling the impact. |
| "It is fucking up our lives," said the patrão, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It's affecting our business badly." | "It is fucking up our lives," said the patrão, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It's affecting our business badly." |
| The logistics of pacification are those of a war. Although most operations have been peaceful, thousands of heavily armed police have been involved, supported at times by helicopters and military personnel. | The logistics of pacification are those of a war. Although most operations have been peaceful, thousands of heavily armed police have been involved, supported at times by helicopters and military personnel. |
| It is a three-step process. First, a military police battalion, the Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE), which specialises in urban warfare, increases searches for drugs and guns. Next the area is surrounded and occupied by BOPE forces. Finally when it is secure, BOPE move out and a resident police unit — known as a UPP — is established. | It is a three-step process. First, a military police battalion, the Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais (BOPE), which specialises in urban warfare, increases searches for drugs and guns. Next the area is surrounded and occupied by BOPE forces. Finally when it is secure, BOPE move out and a resident police unit — known as a UPP — is established. |
| The next slum to be pacified will be the Maré complex of 17 favelas, which tourists drive through on their way from the airport to the city. Police consider this one of the toughest projects because it is so large and the maze-like communities inside are controlled by different, often-feuding gangs. | The next slum to be pacified will be the Maré complex of 17 favelas, which tourists drive through on their way from the airport to the city. Police consider this one of the toughest projects because it is so large and the maze-like communities inside are controlled by different, often-feuding gangs. |
| As part of the softening-up operation, there are now BOPE incursions in the slum almost every day. Homes have been ransacked and property damaged in the name of weapons searches. Helicopters have sprayed fire from above, and police on the ground have let off volleys of shots, forcing residents to cower on the floor. Local people say the police activity is more intense and aggressive than for many years. | As part of the softening-up operation, there are now BOPE incursions in the slum almost every day. Homes have been ransacked and property damaged in the name of weapons searches. Helicopters have sprayed fire from above, and police on the ground have let off volleys of shots, forcing residents to cower on the floor. Local people say the police activity is more intense and aggressive than for many years. |
| Bira Carvalho, a community activist, showed photographs of the destruction caused by such raids in his home. He said police helicopters sometimes flew over his neighbourhood from morning until night. He said it could be a terrifying experience. | Bira Carvalho, a community activist, showed photographs of the destruction caused by such raids in his home. He said police helicopters sometimes flew over his neighbourhood from morning until night. He said it could be a terrifying experience. |
| "They come in very low. It's very noisy. Then the shooting starts. They are supposed to be aiming for traffickers, but the problem is that the 762-calibre bullets go through bricks," he said. "Why do they do this here? They don't do it in the areas where they sell drugs in [upmarket] Leblon." | "They come in very low. It's very noisy. Then the shooting starts. They are supposed to be aiming for traffickers, but the problem is that the 762-calibre bullets go through bricks," he said. "Why do they do this here? They don't do it in the areas where they sell drugs in [upmarket] Leblon." |
| Community workers and non-governmental organisations are also questioning the strong-arm tactics. "The old policy of gun battles, which put everyone at risk, is gone, so why are they conducting these sorts of operations here. It's very counterproductive," said Luke Dowdney, a Briton who has established Fight for Peace, a boxing and martial arts centre in the Maré complex. | Community workers and non-governmental organisations are also questioning the strong-arm tactics. "The old policy of gun battles, which put everyone at risk, is gone, so why are they conducting these sorts of operations here. It's very counterproductive," said Luke Dowdney, a Briton who has established Fight for Peace, a boxing and martial arts centre in the Maré complex. |
| The authorities insist their strategy has proved itself, and is primarily peaceful. "We are not interested in the lethal use of weapons any more. We realise that we cannot bring peace with blood so we are focusing on investigations and arrests," said Pedro Dantas, a police spokesman. | The authorities insist their strategy has proved itself, and is primarily peaceful. "We are not interested in the lethal use of weapons any more. We realise that we cannot bring peace with blood so we are focusing on investigations and arrests," said Pedro Dantas, a police spokesman. |
| Since the first pacification operation in 2008, the Rio state government has established 32 UPPs. By next year, they want 40, with 12,500 UPP officers working in areas home to 1.5 million people. | Since the first pacification operation in 2008, the Rio state government has established 32 UPPs. By next year, they want 40, with 12,500 UPP officers working in areas home to 1.5 million people. |
| Among the proudest boasts of the programme organisers is the sharp decline in shootings. In 2009, there were 769 recorded in Copacabana. Last year, this fell to zero. | Among the proudest boasts of the programme organisers is the sharp decline in shootings. In 2009, there were 769 recorded in Copacabana. Last year, this fell to zero. |
| There is a cosmetic element. Operations have been focused on the south zone – the main tourist area where World Cup and Olympic visitors will congregate – but public safety experts say the benefits have been felt more widely and are likely to be longer term. Rio's murder rate has halved in the past decade. In the Alemão district – long notorious as a Red Command headquarters – shootings have fallen to seven a day. If that still seems staggering, compare it with the more than 150 cases a day in 2009. | There is a cosmetic element. Operations have been focused on the south zone – the main tourist area where World Cup and Olympic visitors will congregate – but public safety experts say the benefits have been felt more widely and are likely to be longer term. Rio's murder rate has halved in the past decade. In the Alemão district – long notorious as a Red Command headquarters – shootings have fallen to seven a day. If that still seems staggering, compare it with the more than 150 cases a day in 2009. |
| "The pacification policy is really reducing lethal violence," said Ignacio Cano, of Rio de Janeiro State University. "It has had a major impact on the people who live in those areas." | "The pacification policy is really reducing lethal violence," said Ignacio Cano, of Rio de Janeiro State University. "It has had a major impact on the people who live in those areas." |
| Even more than pacification, he said the most important change has been a shift in incentives for police. In the past, officers were rewarded for killing, which effectively encouraged street battles and illegal executions. Now they are given a 9,000 reals bonus every six months if they meet crime reduction targets. | Even more than pacification, he said the most important change has been a shift in incentives for police. In the past, officers were rewarded for killing, which effectively encouraged street battles and illegal executions. Now they are given a 9,000 reals bonus every six months if they meet crime reduction targets. |
| "This has transformed public policy by putting protection of life as an ultimate aim, taking police away from a victory mindset," says Cano. "They're doing the right thing."The Rio city mayor, Eduardo Paes, said improving security was the key to dealing with other social problems. "We lost sovereignty in many areas, which were dominated by drug dealers. In that situation you can't approach problems." | "This has transformed public policy by putting protection of life as an ultimate aim, taking police away from a victory mindset," says Cano. "They're doing the right thing."The Rio city mayor, Eduardo Paes, said improving security was the key to dealing with other social problems. "We lost sovereignty in many areas, which were dominated by drug dealers. In that situation you can't approach problems." |
| But the pacified favelas have had slow progress in health, housing, education and business development — all of which were supposed to follow rapidly after the return of the authorities. | But the pacified favelas have had slow progress in health, housing, education and business development — all of which were supposed to follow rapidly after the return of the authorities. |
| Paes insists the trend is in the right direction. "Look at the favelas of 10 or 15 years ago. The quality of the homes was worse than now. Many were just made of wood. Now a lot of the homes have fridges, lights and TV. It's improving. There's less inequality," he said. "In 20 or 30 years, I see people living in favelas just as in Europe they moved into city areas with old cobbled streets." | Paes insists the trend is in the right direction. "Look at the favelas of 10 or 15 years ago. The quality of the homes was worse than now. Many were just made of wood. Now a lot of the homes have fridges, lights and TV. It's improving. There's less inequality," he said. "In 20 or 30 years, I see people living in favelas just as in Europe they moved into city areas with old cobbled streets." |
| But he acknowledges that efforts to bring the favelas back into mainstream society remains a work in progress. "The problems haven't gone completely. We know there is still a long way to go." | But he acknowledges that efforts to bring the favelas back into mainstream society remains a work in progress. "The problems haven't gone completely. We know there is still a long way to go." |
| Guns and drugs may be less visible now but they have not been eradicated, nor have the fundamental causes of poverty and inequality. | Guns and drugs may be less visible now but they have not been eradicated, nor have the fundamental causes of poverty and inequality. |
| "The pacification hasn't really stopped the drug supply. You can still get it. You just have to move," said a crack user who gave the name Robert. He said he left Jacarezinho, a neighbouring favela, when the UPP moved in. | "The pacification hasn't really stopped the drug supply. You can still get it. You just have to move," said a crack user who gave the name Robert. He said he left Jacarezinho, a neighbouring favela, when the UPP moved in. |
| He expects the change caused by the sporting events to be limited and transitory. "The World Cup is good, but it won't bring any benefit to poor people and those sleeping on the street. It won't change things around here in the north zone. It's only for the south zone." | He expects the change caused by the sporting events to be limited and transitory. "The World Cup is good, but it won't bring any benefit to poor people and those sleeping on the street. It won't change things around here in the north zone. It's only for the south zone." |
| That is disputed by the authorities, who plan to launch more pacification operations in the north and west of the city. But how far the authorities will take the policy – which is costly and labour intensive – after the World Cup remains a big, unanswered question. | That is disputed by the authorities, who plan to launch more pacification operations in the north and west of the city. But how far the authorities will take the policy – which is costly and labour intensive – after the World Cup remains a big, unanswered question. |
| Far from the tourist and business areas of the city, there are still hundreds of favelas that may never have a UPP. But the need for further action is evident. Despite the gains of recent years, the homicide rate in Rio is still 24.7 per 100,000 people, which would be considered frighteningly high in any European nation. Crack use may well be on the rise. | Far from the tourist and business areas of the city, there are still hundreds of favelas that may never have a UPP. But the need for further action is evident. Despite the gains of recent years, the homicide rate in Rio is still 24.7 per 100,000 people, which would be considered frighteningly high in any European nation. Crack use may well be on the rise. |
| Police concede that there is no prospect of eradicating drug use, but they say pacification is an important step towards regaining control of the streets and reducing the number of guns. | Police concede that there is no prospect of eradicating drug use, but they say pacification is an important step towards regaining control of the streets and reducing the number of guns. |
| Dantas said: "Rio's shame is that some drug lords with weapons of war are deciding who goes in and who goes out of certain areas. Our goal is to stop the use of guns. It is not acceptable to see people on the streets with R15 or AK47s. | Dantas said: "Rio's shame is that some drug lords with weapons of war are deciding who goes in and who goes out of certain areas. Our goal is to stop the use of guns. It is not acceptable to see people on the streets with R15 or AK47s. |
| "We want this to be a legacy of the World Cup and Olympics … We want to change the international image of Rio as a violent, outlaw city." | "We want this to be a legacy of the World Cup and Olympics … We want to change the international image of Rio as a violent, outlaw city." |
| Additional reporting by Sam Cowie | Additional reporting by Sam Cowie |
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