State public servants and private security companies linked to São Paulo military policemen and metropolitan civil guards who work in the area of the “Cracolândia” are being investigated for extortion in an inquiry opened by the Civil Police. The information was announced by Vice-Governor Felício Ramuth (PSD) on Wednesday (22/06). The inquiry is a new “chapter” of the issues caused by the migration of hundreds of drug addicts from the Praça Júlio Prestes – the traditional location of the “Cracolândia” – to different areas of downtown São Paulo and the consequent transformations of the security scenario.
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Extortion Cases – Public Security Agents
On 7 June, Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) said that the City Comptroller General forwarded to the Public Ministry a request for the arrest of municipal guards suspected of charging security fees from residents and traders in the central region. The agents were removed after a report revealed a possible corruption scheme in which they would charge fees to provide security for merchants in the region. According to the mayor’s office, investigations remain confidential.
Wife of a Military Police Officer Owns a Security Company
Residents and street vendors located around “Cracolândia”, in the central region of São Paulo, say they were approached by two military police officers who offered services from a security company. The offer of the 24-hour surveillance service would have been made by a soldier and a corporal in scheduled meetings with building managers and merchants. According to media sources, the company would belong to the wife of a police officer.
Militia
Residents and business owners have not reached a common ground on whether the company should or not be hired. Some believe they should hire the company and that this is the only alternative to stop the growing violence downtown São Paulo. However, others are against it, they believe this could lead to the formation of a militia in the heart of São Paulo.
Extortion Cases – Traffickers
Media sources also showed that criminals responsible for distributing drugs in “Cracolândia” are charging monthly payments to remove the flow of drug addicts from the doors of stores and homes in the region.
Security Issues in Central Area
The locations where the private companies started to prospect customers has been deeply affected by the presence of drug users. Many perpetrate small crimes, such as thefts, or robberies to pay for drugs. The result is now visible through crime rates. The numbers of different types of crimes have risen significantly in the central region. There is even a specialized gang that use bicycles and acts mainly at night to steal cell phones from customers in bars and restaurants.
Private Security Companies and Security Agents
According to the law that regulates the Military Police, it is considered a serious offense to use one’s police status to obtain personal advantages of any nature or to direct private or third-party business. Military police officers can be partners in companies, but not manage or act directly. However, many individuals find ways to bypass such rules by opening companies in the name of family members or friends.
According to data provided by investigative journalism agency Pública, about a quarter (23%) of companies specialized in private security registered in São Paulo have or have had police officers in their corporate structure. However, experts state that there are many more law enforcement officers in the private surveillance sector. Since the survey refers only to names listed as partners in the companies, and it does not cover those who occupy positions such as advisors and directors. In addition, there are also many agents linked to specialized consultancies in the sector or where the company is on behalf of relatives, employees, and representatives.
For scholars in the field, this reality brings potential conflicts of interest. An example of the risks that can emerge from this delicate relation took place in Rio’s most touristic neighborhood, Copacabana. Rio de Janeiro police harassed managers and shopkeepers in this world-famous location, offering the services of the company Santa Clara Vigilância to evict homeless people from the neighborhood.
Other Problems
However, other issues affect the security services provided by many companies in the country. Another major problem is the illegality of such companies. A survey by the Initiative for the Right to Memory and Racial Justice (IDMJR), which studies violence in the Baixada Fluminense – cities part of Rio Metropolitan Area –, pointed out that 70% of the private security companies operating in the region do not have authorization from the Federal Police to carry out this type of service. Furthermore, 28 of them have public security agents as owners, despite this being illegal.
The survey studied a total of 110 private security companies operating in the cities of Baixada Fluminense: Duque de Caxias (42%), Nova Iguaçu (22%), Saint John of Meriti (15%), Itaguaí and Mesquita (5% each), Nilópolis and Paracambi (3% each), Belford Roxo and Seropédica (2% each), Guapimirim, Magé and Queimados (1% each).
Our Analysis:
Hiring security companies that will provide services during an event, for a company or even for the installations where a company operates is a very serious task. Any irregularities or incidents connected to this service provider can lead to legal consequences, most of the time in the civil sphere. When hiring a security company, it is essential to look for reputable ones, and to check their references and history.
