President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) said this Tuesday (23) that citizens need to be “more careful” with their cell phones when walking on the streets. Lula repeated advice that has become common in large cities: avoid using your cell phone in public spaces subject to robbery and theft.
The president’s speech was during the signing of a decree on the Celular Seguro program. Lula said that people need to see “if there is someone on a bicycle next to you doing a pirouette” and be careful when using the devices in public.
“When you have to speak, look to the side and see if there is anyone near you, if there is someone on a bicycle next to you doing a cartwheel, because you could be robbed. I have seen many people being robbed in the center of São Paulo, someone passes by on a bicycle and steals the phone. It is important that we want to punish those who steal, those who sell, punish organized crime, but it is important that you be more careful when using your cell phone, because it is your property, it is your bank account, your CPF. If you are not careful, you will suffer losses”, declared the president.
InfoMoney Tool
Download now (and for free)!
According to Lula, the Celular Seguro program, launched to combat theft and theft of cell phones, shows that the public authorities are “definitely changing the way they deal” with those who steal cell phones.
“I came here to definitively sign the deal that the Public Power has given to people who steal cell phones in this country. From this decree, a lot will change in the actions of the federal government, state governments and a lot will also change in the people who dare to steal a cell phone from now on”, said the president at an event held in São Paulo to sign the decree.
Lula said that the program will feature the participation of the 27 governors, regulatory agencies and telecommunications companies.
“What we are saying is that, if you bought a stolen cell phone without knowing it was stolen, you have to look for a police station to hand it in (the cell phone). Don’t be afraid to look for the police station because you won’t be arrested, it’s just to return the cell phone”, declared the president.
The PT member said that the return of all stolen cell phone devices, estimated by him at 3 million, “cannot be done all on the same day”, but “little by little”.
