Rio police to occupy slums for Rolling Stones show

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Police will occupy slums next to Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach for this weekend's Rolling Stones concert to safeguard the trouble-prone area of the city.

Rio de Janeiro State Public Security Secretary Marcelo Itagiba criticized the choice of the venue by municipal authorities, but said everything will be done to prevent clashes, robberies and theft during Saturday night's free mega-show, when 1.5 million people are expected.

"I don't think the venue is ideal either from the point of view of security or tranquillity for residents," Itagiba told reporters.

He complained that private security hired by organisers will be paid, while police will do the hard work without any extra compensation.

The concert is being financed by the Rio municipality and two telecommunications companies.

Itagiba said the show was potentially more dangerous than the annual New Year celebrations on Copacabana, as approximately the same number of people will be concentrated on just one-third of the famous beach.

"It's a huge mass of people in one spot, and it is not exactly a quiet show with classical music," Itagiba said.

A massive stage is being constructed on the sand opposite the elegant Copacabana Palace Hotel where the veteran British rockers will stay. Hotels are booked solid by fans and apartments overlooking the beach have been rented out.

More than 2600 police officers will patrol Copacabana and oversee the crowd from 23 purpose-built towers.

In all of the city, 6000 police will be deployed as part of the security scheme for the concert.

Police will occupy three shanty-towns in and around the Copacabana area and will also reinforce patrols around more than 20 other slums. Many Rio slums are controlled by powerful drug gangs and are not patrolled by police. Violent crime often spills over from the slums into city streets.

Some 6600 people were killed last year in Rio, which has a population of 6 million. Copacabana is a haunt for prostitutes and drug dealers at night, and robberies occur there often during daytime.

- REUTERS