Traveling to the World Cup in Brazil this summer? Tread lightly.
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According to Bloomberg's David Biller, street crime in Rio de Janeiro is surging. Further lawlessness is expected when the estimated 400,000 fans arrive to the city in June. Muggings like the one experienced by Carlos Guzman—a 36-year-old tourist—will become common practice with a copious amount of targets roaming the streets.
"They told me I was lucky I didn't offer any resistance, because this kid has been known to stab people," Guzman said after handing over his iPhone, wedding ring and wallet.
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"But since he's underage they can't do anything," he added.
"I think it's going to get worse with the World Cup."
Muggings continued to trend upward in 2013 according to official reports. The 37,412 reported crimes served as a 19 percent increase and double the amount of that of New York and Mexico City. Those metropolis', however, have roughly two million more residents. The main tourist areas—neighborhoods such as Copacabana, Flamengo and Ipanema—saw a 49 percent increase.
Experienced travelers like Sydney Blumstein have offered warnings for those destined for Brazil.
"It was like seeing something with your own eyes that you've heard about and don't believe until it happens," Blumstein said.
"I've told everyone who's asked me about Brazil since then: Don't bring anything too precious, because there's a good chance you won't be taking it home."
During the tournament, police plan to deploy almost 7,000 military officers. Almost 2,000 of those said officers had their vacations postponed. An additional 156 foreign-language-speaking officers will work with the force.
With sex tourism and infrastructure concerns already plaguing Brazil's ability to host the most celebrated event in the world of football, street crime is the last thing the nation could afford.
Will it, however, keep you from attending the World Cup in Brazil this summer? Tell us @SportsWN
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