Over 5,300 security agents to work at Lady Gaga concert in Rio
Over 5,300 agents from the Rio state security forces will work in the special scheme organized to protect the public at the concert by US singer Lady Gaga on Copacabana Beach next Saturday (Apr. 3). Around 1.6 million people are expected to attend the concert.
“We are building a great legacy, delivering good results for security at major events, strengthening culture, entertainment, and tourism. This was made possible thanks to the integration of our secretariats and technology helping the security forces,” said state Governor Cláudio Castro.
Security forces
With 70 vehicles and 78 observation towers, the military police will deploy 3,300 officers for overt and repressive policing. In addition, teams specializing in crowd patrols will be in action, to prevent robberies and theft during the event.
The Integrated Mobile Command and Control Center will use facial recognition drones, plus 12 extra facial recognition cameras. Policing will also take place in the sand with five support tents.
“Security is the main vector allowing artists to include Rio as a tour destination. Integration between forces is key to improving and enhancing activities at this time. There will be over 5 thousand agents committed to ensuring that residents and tourists have the best possible experience,” said Secretary of Public Security Victor dos Santos.
The main access routes to Copacabana will have roadblocks, searches, and interception points. Metro stations across the South Zone will be searching passengers with metal detectors. In addition, the agents will set up a security belt from Leme to Copacabana, with 18 blockade points and searches with facial recognition at porticoes on the streets leading to the beach.
More than 1,500 civil officers will be policing the concert, with reinforcements at police stations in the South Zone and downtown and support from specialized stations. The scheme will be launched on May 1 and will last until 5 am on Sunday (4).
In the scheme designed for the concert, the fire brigade will have 400 military personnel positioned along the beach prepared to act by land, air, and sea.
A total of 12 lifeguard posts will be active before, during, and after the event, guaranteeing immediate assistance to bathers.
Tourism
The tourism sector saw a 26 percent surge in passengers and a 19 percent increase in flights during the period of Lady Gaga’s concert, compared to the figures for the first week of May last year.
Rio’s Galeão Airport should receive over 360 thousand passengers during the period, 256 thousand domestic and 107 thousand international. In addition, passengers from 50 boats will watch the show on Copacabana beach from the sea.
