Hotline gets over 280 calls on Rocinha favela in ten days
A total of 284 people resorted to the Disque-Denúncia hotline to report on the criminal activity in Rocinha, south Rio de Janeiro. Figures were updated at midday today (Sep. 26).
The calls came after September 16, one day before clashes between criminal groups led to a number of shootings in Brazil's biggest favela.
Due to the conflicts, Rocinha has been the subject to number of police operations since last Monday. The Armed Forces have also taken part in the crackdown, as of Friday (22).
This morning alone, 20 calls were received. Yesterday saw the highest number of reports: 83—all of which about Rocinha.
Last weekend, Disque-Denúncia rose from $9.5 thousand to $15 thousand the reward for information leading to the arrest of Rogério Avelino da Silva, a.k.a. Rogério 157, suspect of spearheading the drug trafficking scheme in the region.
Since city authorities have ruled his temporary arrest last Thursday, Avelino is considered a fugitive.
On Tuesday morning, a helicopter from the security forces threw pamphlets over the shanty town. In addition to urging residents to make contact, the material included the telephone numbers of Disque-Denúncia.
“Help Rio de Janeiro. Report criminal and suspicious activities,” one of the pamphlets read. Locals can contact the hotline from a landline, WhatsApp, or a dedicated smartphone application.
Health Care Units
Due to the clashes breaking out in the favela, some of the health care units in Rocinha changed locations. The strategy is reported to have been implemented today. Re-opening closed stations will be discussed over the course of the day.
The police have identified 59 individual suspected of participating in the clashes and issued 29 arrest warrants. The operation, a cooperation between both civil and military police forces, enabled the serving of seven warrants.
Sixteen people have been arrested since the crackdown was launched. Twenty-three rifles were seized, along with eight grenades, 2.5 thousand ammunition units, two pistols, and 101 magazines, the police reported.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Hotline gets over 280 calls on Rocinha favela in ten days
