Rio de Janeiro – World Youth Day

Security officials at all levels are coordinating to make sure World Youth Day is secure. World Youth Day’s Local Organizing Committee has released details of a contingency plan to be used July 23-28, when the international event takes place in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s federal police and the federal highway police will be in charge of Pope Francis’ personal security, escorting the pontiff to the different event sites. Military police will be in charge of opening and closing of roads, as well as the security of tourist sites. The National Security Force will serve as a contingency force and will be activated only if needed. Civil police will be in charge of crowd control. Municipal Guards will patrol subways and train stations, guarding pilgrim sites. The Ministry of Defense said it would not place troops on display on the streets with armored cars and rifles. Army personnel will be seen only when necessary, so that their presence will not be overt.