Crime in Brazil - Militias

Militias

In some areas, current and former members of the police have formed vigilante gangs in the slums, notably the "militias" of Rio de Janeiro. These gangs claim to be protecting people but are widely considered to be dangerous and particularly proficient criminal gangs. They chase out or kill local drug dealers and then impose protection rackets and tax local businesses of all kinds. Rio de Janeiro "militias" have been responsible for murders of journalists and a judge. Areas under "militia" control tend to see a drop in murder rates but a rise in other forms of violent crime.