During the Carnival celebrations in São Luís, Maranhão, a facial recognition system from the State Department of Public Security (SSP) was instrumental in apprehending three fugitives who had outstanding arrest warrants. The arrests took place in a crowded area known as the Avenida Litorânea, where the public festivities were at their peak. The system utilizes installed cameras to scan the faces of attendees, and upon identifying a match with its database of wanted individuals, it promptly alerts monitoring officials on site.

The police responded to two of these situations on the evening of February 13, which marked the kick-off of the Carnival. One of the first arrests involved a man wanted for failing to pay child support, highlighting the system's role in conscientious law enforcement amidst the celebratory environment. As soon as the facial recognition software confirmed the individual’s identity linked to an active warrant, the Central Monitoring team was activated, leading to a swift police response and subsequent arrest.

This implementation of facial recognition technology at large public events not only enhances security but also serves as a preventative measure against various forms of crime during high-traffic periods. While it raises questions regarding privacy and surveillance, the successful apprehension of wanted fugitives exemplifies a growing trend in utilizing technology for law enforcement purposes during significant events such as Carnival.