For the past 15 years, the residents of Vila Amélia, a neighborhood in Nova Friburgo, Brazil, have faced the consequences of the destroyed boardwalk that covered the Córrego do Relógio following a climatic disaster in 2011. Temporary solutions, such as wooden decks installed in 2014, proved ineffective as they quickly deteriorated, leading to accidents, particularly involving elderly residents. Despite local complaints and reporting, the issue remains unresolved, forcing residents to navigate a safety hazard on a daily basis.

Over the years, various temporary fixes have been introduced, but none have provided a lasting solution. After the original boardwalk was destroyed by the extreme weather event, the municipal government opted for temporary wooden structures, which soon became a danger in their own right as they warped and fell into disrepair. Residents have observed that these decks worsened conditions rather than improving them, leading to serious concerns about public safety as individuals frequently encounter hazardous conditions near the damaged area.

Currently, the situation remains stagnant, with the local government failing to undertake necessary reconstruction efforts. Instead of rebuilding the boardwalk, the site has been left to become overgrown with vegetation, exacerbating risks for the community. While residents continue to demand action, the lack of effective government intervention has left them feeling neglected and unsafe, raising questions about accountability and the prioritization of public safety in local governance.