BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro's unveils security plan for the New Year's celebrations

Record ID: 267806

  • Title: BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro's unveils security plan for the New Year's celebrations
  • Date: 29th December 2010
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (DECEMBER 28, 2010) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF COPACABANA BEACH VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING ALONGSIDE BEACH CLOSE OF SIGN READING: "COPACABANA 2011 NEW YEAR'S" POLICE OFFICERS OUTSIDE COPACABANA BEACH LUXURY HOTEL CLOSE OF POLICE OFFICER'S SHIRT READING: "TOURIST POLICE" VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS IN COPACABANA VARIOUS OF GERMAN TOURIST COUPLE ON
  • Embargoed: 13th January 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil, Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVABXKWCCK5N4LZNI7VBFMW3S9PK
  • Story Text: Rio de Janeiro's police present their security plan for the city's massive New Year's celebration at Copacabana beach.
    Rio de Janeiro police unveiled on Tuesday (December 28) the security plan for the tourist city's famous New Year's bash at Copacabana beach, where some 2 million people are expected.
    Officials stepped up security on the beach this year following last month's wave of violence that killed dozens of people and ended with the occupation of one of Rio's most violent slums.
    The city estimates about half a million tourists will crowd Copacabana to ring in the New Year and also increased tourist police units in the area.
    Four stages and dozens of big screens are being set up along the two-and-a-half mile beach for the turn of the year.
    The recent wave of violence did not scare away the visitors, but many were concerned about security.
    Yan, a German tourist traveling with his wife, said he was feeling safe.
    "I feel safe here, it's good. There are many people here, some guards, some tourist guards, the tourist police... it's nice," he said.
    British tourist, Christine Dovell, said she was having a good impression of policing so far.
    "We've been warned about it (violence) and I was quite nervous. But we came back (to Rio) and it seems to be fine. So far, so good," she said.
    In a news conference at Rio's police headquarters, the security officials unveiled a detailed plan for the New Year's Eve.
    Surveillance cameras have been set up around Copacabana to help police to monitor the crowd. Officers have access to the closed-circuit footage will be able to control cameras from inside a bus.
    Police spokesman Lima Castro said nearly 7,000 officers would patrol the city's streets.
    "We have 6,717 police officers and 1,208 patrol cars that will be working for the New Year's security, patrolling the New Year's celebrations and the surrounding areas," he said.
    Engineers were also giving the final touches on the fireworks vessels which will carry the 25 tons of explosives that will light up Copacabana's sky after midnight.
    The globally televised fireworks show will be preceded by the launching of the logo of Rio's 2016 Olympic Games.
    The city's Tourism Secretary Antonio Pedro de Mello said the New Year bash would also include a laser show.
    "Besides the Olympic logo that will be launched for the Brazilian public and the world at Copacabana, beyond that, we innovated and put together a great light and laser show to
    add more glamour," he said.
    Rio authorities said the city's victory to host the 2016 Olympics has helped to boost tourism activities and that over 700,000 tourists are expected to visit the city until mid
    February, when Carnival festivities begin.
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