Derrite’s shocking response to Operation Summer death toll

Written in BRAZIL he 4/2/2024 · 8:06 pm

The Secretary of Public Security of São Paulo, Guilherme Derrite, stated that was unaware of the total number of deaths in Operation Verão, in Baixada Santista, The most lethal since the Carandiru Massacre, and which was closed this Monday (1st).

“I didn’t even know there were 56, I don’t do that calculation”said Derrite, during an appointment in the capital of São Paulo with Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB).

“For me, the ideal is that there would be none, but in the real world in which we live, the neglect of the fight against organized crime in Brazil and in the state of São Paulo has reached the point where any police vehicle will suffer gunshots. fire”, added the secretary.

Operation Summer

Operation Summer, previously called Operation Shield, left 56 people dead between January and March this year. Added to the first phase, which took place last year, there are more than 80 deaths.

The operation was criticized by human rights entities due to the violence and high lethality. In a report made by 13 organizations, reports from residents pointed out summary executions, torture, obstruction of justice, home invasions and violent police approaches. The operation was reported to the United Nations (UN) twice, once in September last year and once in March this year.

On Friday (29), the operation claimed the first victim from a stray bullet.Edneia Fernandes Silva, 31 years old, was shot dead after the arrival of three police officers who were patrolling on motorcycles, at Praça José Lamacchia, in the Bom Retiro neighborhood, in the Northwest Zone of Santos. She left 6 children.

This Monday (1st), a video, recorded by a resident, showed police firing 188 rifle shots against three “suspects” in Morro Nova Cintra, in Santos.

Even with the end of the operation, the secretary informed that security in Baixada Santista will receive significant reinforcement. A contingent of 341 military police, including soldiers, corporals and sergeants, will work permanently in the region. Furthermore, there is a forecast for an increase in the number of civil police officers, with the training of new agents in 2024.