Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro initiates Operation Summer after weekend beachfront chaos

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Reinforced surveillance on the city’s beaches and surrounding areas usually occurs during the high season, starting in November. But as of next weekend, at least 150 security agents will be patrolling the beaches constantly, with the support of the Municipal Guard canine patrol.

In 2020, because of the pandemic and the city’s restrictive measures, Operation Summer was not required. This year, despite the significant increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in Rio in recent weeks and the Delta variant haunting the city, Rio residents weren’t concerned: with temperatures exceeding 30ºC, beaches and public transportation were crowded.

Late in the afternoon when returning home, one of the weekend’s most tense moments occurred when vandalism events were filmed by passers-by at bus stops in Copacabana and Arpoador beaches. According to the concessionaire responsible for bus services in Rio, at least 30 buses were vandalized on Sunday, August 22, resulting in over R$100,000 (US$19,000) in damages.

On social networks, the company urged a reaction from Rio’s authorities. “Unless there is a reaction from the security authorities next weekend, these events are likely to happen again.”

According to the State Police, patrolling on the coast over the weekend mobilized more than 10 of the force’s units and over 200 police officers in Copacabana and Leme alone. Four people were arrested, 4 teenagers detained, 3 cell phones and 2 bicycles recovered.