Authorities to monitor street parties during celebration

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As Rio de Janeiro’s world famous Carnival nears, the city’s authorities announced on Tuesday plans to monitor the street parties that will take over the city during the celebration.

Each year, hundreds of streets bands and revelers descend on Rio during the pre-Lenten festivities. Street parties, or "blocos," as they are known in Rio, are expected to take over the beachside city in the week-long celebration. Rio de Janeiro’s Secretary of Tourism, Antonio Pedro Mello, also announced the local government will be taking new measures.

He presented a remote control, camera-equipped blimp that will fly above the street parties and monitor them. Mello said the new surveillance system will help maintain security and organisation. He added that tourism during the entire summer of 2012 will generate new job opportunities for the city. Some three million revelers are expected to party in Rio’s streets to the sound of lively drums and a samba beat. The pre-Lenten festivities officially begin on February 17.