While the violence has been lower since Monday night, May 15, in the streets of the Greater São Paulo, Brazil, the confrontation between police and gang members has continued during the last night. At least 16 men all suspect of working for the organized crime were killed in the wee hours of this morning, May 17.
According to the police all those killed were caught trying to do damage to public buildings or kill policemen. Since Friday night when the PCC (First Command of the Capital) started its attacks against military and civilian targets, at least 87 criminals were killed according to the police. At least 44 policemen and civilians were also killed by criminals during the same period.
Attacks have continued in several cities of the interior of São Paulo state. In Botucatu, for example, a Military Police military base was set on fire. The same happened to a police station in São José do Rio Preto, to another one in Tremembé and still another in the coastal city of São Sebastião.
In Praia Grande, in the litoral, the house of a policeman was repeatedly shot during the night. The house was empty when the attacks occurred though. There were also hits against police targets in Campinas, Piracicaba and Mogi-Mirim.
Presidente Prudente’s city attorney has started an investigation to probe the charges that there was an agreement between the state government and the chief of the PCC to end the rebellions in several penitentiaries of São Paulo.
Monday, May 14, there was a meeting between the state authorities and the PCC chief, Marcos Willians Herba Camacho, better known as Camacho who is jail in Presidente Prudente in a maximum security cell. Soon after the meeting all the riots ended. The São Paulo government denied that there was any negotiation with Marcola.
A DataFolha survey released today shows that the organized crime was able to spread terror in São Paulo. 85% of those interviewed told the attacks had changed their daily routine. Around 100 buses were burned down Monday morning.
77% revealed they were very worried about what could happen to friends or relatives. There were 7%, however, who said they weren’t worried at all. 46% answered that they were "very afraid," 33% told they were "somewhat afraid."
