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‘Welcome to Hell': Hurt by budget cuts, Rio cops warn Olympic tourists of safety concerns

Police and firefighters in Rio de Janeiro gathered at the city’s international airport to warn visitors of the possible danger they face

By Police1 Staff

RIO DE JANEIRO — Police and firefighters in Rio de Janeiro gathered at the city’s international airport to warn visitors of the possible danger they face.

According to the Washington Post, the first responders greeted visitors with a sign that read, “Welcome to Hell. Police and firefighters don’t get paid, whoever comes to Rio de Janeiro will not be safe.”

The sign was part of a protest against the budget cuts the agencies are suffering from as Brazil continues to deal with a brutal economic recession.

85,000 officers and soldiers will be deployed to work security at the upcoming Olympic Games, but salary delays and vehicles taken out of service to save on gas money are among the struggles the police force faces as the international event grows closer to kicking off, according to the report.