Brazil boosts security budget amid concerns about Olympic safety
The Brazilian government has granted an additional $26 million to its armed forces amid persistent concerns about safety at the upcoming 2016 Summer Games.
The money will pay to increase the number of soldiers, police officers and other security personnel stationed in Rio de Janeiro to about 88,000, officials said.
“It is the amount needed for the defense forces to carry out their duties and it will be available,” Leonardo Picciani, the country’s sports minister, said Wednesday.
Crime, civic unrest and a police strike have made for troubling headlines in Rio this year. International athletes visiting for pre-Olympic events have been robbed on the streets.
The city’s mayor has openly criticized his national government’s handling of security.
Wednesday’s announcement of extra funding will pay for about 3,000 more personnel than were initially planned.
After performing an Olympic test run last weekend, Brazilian troops are scheduled to begin patrolling venues full-time July 24, about two weeks before the opening ceremony.
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