By Andrew Willis, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A further indication of the security improvements in the city of Rio this year is that many residents and tourists opted to celebrate the New Year festivities in the city’s ‘pacified’ favela communities instead of Copacabana Beach. Four years after the Police Pacification Unit (Unidade de Polícia Pacificadora, or UPP) program started, many hillside favelas are safe enough to enjoy amazing views of the fireworks show.
For big spenders, resident Azelina Viana dos Santos offered a R$1,000-a-head reception at the top of the Pav . . .
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