Governor promises overt policing to prevent looting and scams in RS: ‘Let’s bring order to the state’ | Rio Grande do Sul

“We will exert full force for public security. We will bring order to the state. We will arrest those who use this dramatic moment to carry out coups or commit crimes”, assured Leite.

The rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul have already resulted in 95 deaths, 131 missing and 372 injured, according to Civil Defense. The bulletin released this Tuesday (7) also points out that there are another 4 deaths being investigated.

Amid efforts to rescue people in flooded areas, the population and volunteers suffer from a wave of insecuritywith looting of establishments, robberies, threats and attacks on rescue boats.

Residents complain about looting in flooded areas of the capital

Leite asked the Ministry of Justice for the support of 400 members of the National Force and 120 vehicles to assist in rescues and combating crime. The expectation is that a force of 100 people will arrive in RS this Wednesday. The rest are scheduled to arrive in the next few days.

The state government authorized, in addition to overtime paymentan immediate notice for the summoning of a thousand retired police officers. They will not be able to work on the streets, but they can work, for example, in public shelters, a measure that would free up part of the workforce for the streets.

“100% of the public security force on the streets. We suspended vacations and licenses. Police officers from administrative areas were assigned to the streets. We divided the most critical locations so that there is openness and security. The order is 100% police on the streets”, says Sandro Caron , Secretary of Public Security.

The Civil Police are investigating eight cases of spreading false news about the storms that have already left 95 people dead in Rio Grande do Sul. According to the head of the Civil Police, delegate Fernando Sodré, people are taking advantage of the crisis to obtain financial advantages.

On Tuesday afternoon (7), the government published on social media the main lies that are spread to obtain access and, consequently, advantages in publications:

• There is no invoice required to make donations
• Rescue vehicles are not being fined
• There is no license requirement to pilot boats and jetskis in rescue operations
• There is no inspection of lunch boxes by Piratini
• The pix authorized by the government does not go to a management fund

The state’s Secretary of Public Security, Sandro Caron, states that the security forces are investigating possible culprits and are seeking to hold them accountable.

“We are here to make another appeal to the population of Rio Grande do Sul so that we can combat fake news. Unfortunately, in the midst of this great crisis we have some people who have been trying to use internet profiles to obtain some type of financial gain”, he said.

Just like fake news, a type of virtual scam was also registered by the state. Fraudsters publish art similar to that of the government on social media containing a QR Code for donations. However, it simulates information from Piratini, with data from a third party.

Governor Eduardo Leite (PSDB) spoke in a statement to the press this Tuesday (7) when updating the state’s situation. When making the donation, the recipient key that appears is SOS Rio Grande do Sul and Banrisul bank.

“We will maintain order in the state and we will arrest and prosecute all those who use dramatic moments like this to commit scams or commit crimes at a time of fragility, of vulnerability,” he stated.

In total, 207.8 thousand people are away from home – 48.8 thousand in shelters and 159 thousand homeless (people staying with family or friends). RS has 401 of its 497 municipalities with problems related to the weather, with 1.4 million people affected.

Eduardo Leite warns of heavy rains starting Friday (10) in RIo Grande do Sul