More than 8,000 security professionals will be working at Rock in Rio during the seven days of the festival, at Cidade do Rock, in Barra da Tijuca, from September 13 to 22. The event organizers expect to receive more than 700,000 people, including residents of the state and Brazilian and foreign tourists. The special security operation begins this Friday (13) and will continue until the end of the event. The police force represents a 30% increase in relation to the last Rock in Rio.
This weekend there will be shows on Saturday (14) and Sunday (15). After a few days of rest, the party will return the following week, from Thursday (19) to Sunday (22), when the closing party will take place.
Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro said that Rock in Rio is an event of great importance for our state, not only from a cultural point of view, but also from an economic one. “That is why we have set up a robust and integrated security scheme, involving different forces, to ensure that everyone can enjoy the festival with peace of mind. We are committed to providing a safe environment for both residents and tourists, who will be welcomed with all the hospitality of the people of Rio,” he said.
The event is expected to generate around R$2.6 billion for the economy of Rio de Janeiro. Hotel occupancy rates are expected to reach 95% during the festival weekends, and arrivals at Rio’s bus station could increase by 40%.
Task force
“The task force was created in conjunction with the Military and Civil Police, the Fire Department and agents from Operação Lei Seca. We will set up a security belt around the event, on the main access roads, and we will have a strong security scheme inside the festival. It is important to emphasize that no part of the state will have a deficit in policing,” explained the Secretary of Public Security, Victor dos Santos.
Military Police
The Military Police will mobilize 5,200 agents, in addition to 143 vehicles, eight observation towers on Embaixador Abelardo Bueno and Salvador Allende avenues, in addition to 16 roadblocks on the main access roads to Cidade do Rock.
All technological equipment will be used to ensure the safety of participants, including monitoring and facial recognition cameras, drones, aircraft and motorcycles. The plan will also include the Integrated Mobile Command and Control Center, located at the BRT Olympic Park, which will house all the technological infrastructure.
A tourist information center, staffed by bilingual police officers from the Tourist Areas Policing Battalion (BPTur), will be strategically located to assist visitors. There will be police patrols in vehicles and on foot at the main bus terminals leading to the event, as well as additional patrols in key areas such as Avenida das Américas, Avenida Salvador Allende, Avenida Ayrton Senna and Avenida Lúcio Costa, as well as Estradas dos Bandeirantes, Estrada do Joá and Estrada do Itanhangá.
Civil Police
The Civil Police will mobilize 1,675 officers, of which 714 will be located in Cidade do Rock. A projection of the 16th Police Precinct (Barra da Tijuca) will be installed at the location, and there will be additional personnel at nearby police stations (32nd and 42nd DP) and at the Tourism Support Precinct, which will operate as an Extraordinary Flagrant Central at the 42nd DP, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes.
Specialized agents from the Civil Police will be available to take statements and provide support, with the presence of the Women’s Assistance Police Station, the Children and Adolescents’ Police Station, the Special Assistance Police Station for the Elderly, the Tourism Support Police Station and the Racial Crimes and Intolerance Crimes Police Station. Criminal experts and forensic experts will be available to the security force.
The Civil Police will also have seven service points within the event, equipped with tablets to facilitate the online registration of occurrences, offering support and assistance.
Firemen
Approximately 600 firefighters will be mobilized to ensure public safety. Three task forces will be set up at strategic points in and around the Cidade do Rock. The force will include ambulances, pickup trucks, motorcycles, fire-fighting and rescue vehicles, as well as two mechanical platforms measuring up to 42 meters in height and a tanker truck for extra water supply. Three operational units will be on standby throughout the festival.
Dry Law
Operation Lei Seca will carry out 62 inspections, focusing on neighborhoods and access roads to the festival, aiming to ensure the safety of the public’s return. There will also be educational actions, with the participation of 42 employees, including people with disabilities (PCD), drivers and support teams.
