Clandestine Scheme of Security is Offered by Police Militias in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil Justice Net

Militias formed by police, ex-police officers, firemen, prison workers, and military personnel have expelled drug traffickers from the west and northern areas of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The militias invaded and occupied 3 of the 17 favelas (slum-areas) of the Mar� region, closed streets in the suburbs and are now doing the same in the southern part of the city.

A few weeks ago, managers of 45 condominiums in Leme, RJ received written proposals to adopt a system of protection for 24 hours a day. The proposal, signed by a retired Sergeant of the Military Police, offers security in the four streets close to a nearby slum because of "the high incidence of criminality." The price of the "security tax" is given only after the residents approve the proposal. Payments to the militias are then made on a monthly basis. Condominium managers rejected the proposals and denounced the actions of the militias after consulting with their residents. Even though the Military Police Sergeant is officially retired, he continues to work in the 9th Military Police Battalion. This military police unit is responsible for a part of the western zone of Rio de Janeiro that is a type of "paradise" for militias who control all of the favelas, except for Cidade de Deus (City of God favela).

The militia action in this area began in the 1970�s and the practice spread out in the region. Militias take the place of drug traffickers and charge residents and business owners a "security tax". This tax is also paid to use alternative transportation (vans, motor taxis), buy cooking gas for homes and businesses, clandestine cable TV, etc.

Representatives of the community, generally police officers who live there, are the link to establish a militia. With the occupation, other militia members move to the neighborhood. The drug dealers are then killed or expelled. As with drug-trafficking, the militias give assistance to the residents in order to "win their appeal". This month, the militia announced that they would distribute baskets of food and Christmas toys to the residents of Quitungo and Guapor� in the northern zone of the city. These two neighborhoods are famous for the presence of the militia called "The Galactics", whose members are police and ex-police officers who lived in the area, took advantage of the weakening of the drug traffickers and imposed their rule. They invited co-workers with experience in similar militia actions to join them. At least 20 young men, "said" to be involved in criminal activity in the neighborhood, have disappeared. The police responsible for the area say that they do not have "official" proof of these disappearances and are not investigating them.

In the western part of the city, another militia group stands out. They are known as "The Righteous" and their symbol is Batman. The militia members dress in clothes with this Batman symbol.

Their cars have large stickers symbolizing their super-hero. The militia chief, according to the residents, is police officer whose nickname is "Mata Rindo" (Laughing as He Kills).

Last month, a part of the Mar� Favela complex was invaded and occupied by militias who killed those whom they determined were involved in drug-trafficking. The Mar� Favela complex has 240,000 residents in 17 favelas in one urban area. According to residents, the Military Police helped the militias in the operation. The invasions were done by the caveir�o, the big armour-clad cars/trucks of the police department. The police department of Mar� denies its participation, but admits that the militias installed themselves in the favela. An ex-commander of the Military Police controls the communities at this time. In some favelas, authorization must be given to enter the neighborhood. A monthly security tax is paid by residents, small and large business owners. The militias authorize the use of a swimming pool in the area for the residents. The occupation of Mar� has caused great fear in the population because of the possibility of an "urban war".

Inspector Mareina Maggessi, of the Civil Police says that soldiers, commanders, and sergeants of the police force learned from coronels who historically controlled neighborhoods of the elite in Rio de Janeiro. According to her, "We heard that they charge for this and for that. The residents adore these militias because they get rid of "criminals." She also states that "the population is crazy for someone to protect them because the state has failed them."

Source: Folha de S�o Paulo, Dec. 12, 2006