Armed Forces Close Down Test in Slum One Month After Intervention Begins

03/20/2018 - 14h32

Following a one-month trial period, the Armed Forces have decided to vacate the Vila Kennedy favela in Rio de Janeiro, which was selected to conduct public security tests.

Those in charge of the intervention have decided to definitively leave the community in Rio's western district in two weeks. From then on, the Military Police will be exclusively responsible for patrolling the region.

The operation currently consists of 300 soldiers patrolling the favela's streets during the day and 300 Military Police officers patrolling its streets at night. 3,200 military officials participated in the operation on February 23, which was when the operation began.

An army official told Folha that the order to "gradually" withdraw from the favela was arrived at so that the intervention can begin to focus on other areas in the city and the state.

The military's assessment is that planning has been affected by the widespread and almost-weekly repercussions that crimes have had. Last week alone, councilwoman Marielle Franco (PSOL) and her driver were murdered, in addition to Benjamin, a 1-year-old, who was shot in the head by a stray bullet in the Complexo do Alemão favela.

Despite the lack of official consolidated data, the government claims that vehicle and motorcycle robberies in the community have decreased.

During the period in question (slightly under a month), the army did not arrest any major drug dealers in the community, nor did it apprehend large amounts of drugs or weapons.

	Danilo Verpa/Folhapress
	3,200 military officials participated in the operation on February 23, which was when the operation began

Translated by LLOYD HARDER and THOMAS MATHEWSON

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