Companies and residential condominiums in Rio de Janeiro have turned to bulletproofing windows and doors to mitigate the risks of gunfire. Industry entrepreneurs report that demand has been increasing steadily over the years.
Owners of vehicle and architectural armoring companies — in the case of buildings — are legally prohibited from disclosing service addresses but state that most of the demand comes from residential condominiums in neighborhoods such as Barra da Tijuca and Copacabana.
In 2017, former mayor Marcelo Crivella (Republicans) announced plans to install bulletproof windows in classrooms at municipal schools in neighborhoods like Maré. However, the proposal was rejected by experts and opposition politicians.
The Fiocruz Foundation (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation) decided to bulletproof its structures over five years ago in response to gunfire in Manguinhos, a community dominated by drug trafficking and frequently targeted by police operations. A report documents armed confrontations in the area and the impact of gunfire on the foundation. Internal documents indicate that 90% of Fiocruz campus buildings have been hit by bullets.
In addition to bulletproofing, Fiocruz sectors have implemented protocols for adjusting work hours, allowing employees to leave earlier or start later on days with shootings. The foundation is also considering restructuring its corporate transportation system. The primary concern is the safety risk employees face at nearby bus stops.
