Rio's military police in state of alert

This morning, the Military Police (PM) announced that all of their units will be operating under a special state of alert, prompted by threats made against the police corps by top Commando Vermelho (CV) traficantes following yesterday's confrontation in Morro do Juramento.

The threats warned of retaliation for the deaths of the eight CV traficantes killed in the Zona Norte melee, and included calls for vehicle arson against PM and civil police cars. Last Sunday's occupation of Mangueira was cited as an additional motive for impending CV vengeance.

In general, I support Jose Beltrame's overall strategy for public security in Rio. However, the fact that drug-related violence continues unabated underscores the importance of having a comprehensive security agenda which emphasizes the role of job creation, social inclusion, and education in violence reduction. Such an agenda should stipulate that the UPPs be preceded by - not bookended with - their UPP Social counterpart. Currently, Rio has it back-asswards.