Brazil: Police strike in Rio Grande do Norte state

Event

A strike by civilian and military police officers ongoing since December 19 in Rio Grande do Norte state (northeast) has resulted in spikes in violence and other crime. The strike, launched by police demanding back pay, continued as of December 26 despite being declared illegal the day prior. No state police are patrolling the streets, including in the capital Natal and the city of Mossoró, and are only responding to emergencies.

A total of 50 homicides were reported in first seven days of the strike statewide; some 250 other crimes were reported in the Natal region alone, predominately car theft and robberies (e.g. targeting banks and stores). Federal police officers have been deployed to the state to address the rising insecurity.

Context

A similar strike occurred in Espírito Santo February 3-10, during which time the state experienced a significant increase in violence, with at least 120 homicides reported. The Brazilian military was deployed to the region in an effort to curb the violence, but the additional soldiers had little effect on security conditions.

Advice

Individuals present in the state are advised to remain vigilant, conceal all signs of wealth to avoid attracting the attention of would-be thieves, and avoid entering favelas (slums; often located in very close proximity to more affluent neighborhoods). Keep in mind that criminals are often armed; never offer resistance if assaulted.