The Maranhão Civil Police have taken significant action against mobile phone theft by summoning 500 individuals to appear at the State Secretariat for Public Security (SSP) this week. This summons is part of a program called 'Meu Celular de Volta' aimed at recovering stolen or lost cell phones. The first batch of notifications was sent via WhatsApp on Tuesday, and a second batch followed on Wednesday. The summoned individuals are required to attend a recovery event scheduled for Thursday or Friday, where they will be expected to return the stolen devices during the morning recovery effort.

The recovery effort takes place at the SSP auditorium located in Vila Palmeira, São Luís, from 8 AM to noon. The police emphasize the importance of compliance and have warned that failure to attend could result in legal consequences, classifying noncompliance as a crime of disobedience under Brazilian Penal Code. This initiative not only aims to recover stolen property but also to deter future thefts by holding individuals accountable for possession of stolen goods.

The 'Meu Celular de Volta' program represents a proactive approach by law enforcement in addressing the concerns surrounding mobile phone theft in the region. By actively engaging the public and leveraging technology for notifications, the police are emphasizing community involvement in the recovery of stolen items. This strategy may enhance overall public trust in law enforcement's efforts to tackle crime, thus benefiting the larger São Luís community by potentially reducing theft rates in the area.