2009 Rio Expat Survey Results: Safety and Restrictions

I think every expat living in Rio and every person considering potentially moving here has had concerns about safety and security in Rio. Rio has quite a reputation internationally...

But really what it comes down to is how people are affected personally on a daily basis. So I had to ask the questions: Have you been personally affected by crime in Rio? Have you witnessed crime in Rio?

71% of respondents have not been the victim of any sort of crime in Rio.

Just 25% have WITNESSED crime in Rio. (DRL's note - public urination, prostitution and littering are not considered crimes here!)

I thought that this was pretty good/encouraging. I provided space for participants to leave comments, and here is what they had to say (most are descriptions of what the crimes people have encountered have been):

• a thin gold necklace was ripped off my father-inlaw's neck by a guy jogging.
• simple pick-pocketing at the beach
• My best friend was kidnapped for one day. She was waiting for a real estate agent to see a house in Barra.
• It was not random, but by house staff... thief!
• We got mugged - 3 guys took friend's bag and my shopping bag.
• Plainclothes police holding someone at gunpoint.
• Credit Card was copied, saw a mugging, nothing serious just inconvenient
• Mugged at knifepoint
• Bike theft
• theft in stores, purse stolen, and vendor being robbed
• I was with two people that had necklaces taken. Do not wear gold or gems.
• Witnessed assault on two british tourists (involving a very large knife), no one injured, but scary.
• late night mugging
• Mugged in Leblon
• I witnessed someone being shot a street corner near Lapa while riding in a cab

Now, in an attempt to protect employees from such incidents, some employers impose restrictions on expat employees. I asked respondents if they were subject to such restrictions. 77 percent were not. Of those who were, these are some of the restrictions they have:

• Restricted movement
• Not allowed to drive
• Certain activities restricted
• Only allowed to live in certain areas
• Not allowed to go to the Zona Norte or favelas

Stay safe out there!

Comments

[joão]

Public urination became crime, that's why over 30 people were arrested in those few days of carnival. Prostitution is also crime, but not as drug trafficking or robbery. Take care about what you say in this blog.

[Jonas]

yeah I just read that public urination is crime now.
Prostitution is crime, as said above, but I do not think they will arrest everybody who is working as a prostitute, just like here in Toronto where you can see tons of female and male prostitutes (even during winter lol) on specific streets, and I have never seen no one bothering them doing their job. I do not know whether prostitution here in Canada is crime.

[Jonas]

Actually, I think in Brazil if you prostitute yourself is not a crime, but it becomes crime when you work for someone who makes money on your prostitution. In this case you and your boss can be arrested, and pay a huge fine.

[Joana]

OMG, not allowed to go to Zona Norte? That's a little crazy, especially cause there are plenty of middle class neighborhoods there.

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[Jordans 3]

This post really had me thinking about this particular issue in way I havent before. Its something I do believe we need to talk about more. Thankyou.

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Prostitution is also crime, but not as drug trafficking or robbery. Take care about what you say in this blog.

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