Brazilian police officers joined Sao Paulo bus drivers in work stoppages today, leaving crimes unreported in South America’s largest city and commuters stranded weeks before the World Cup starts.

More than half of Sao Paulo’s bus companies and a passenger terminal are closed as workers push for better pay, according to the city’s transport company SPTrans. Civil police forces in 14 states including Sao Paulo halted most of their basic activities, which include reporting on thefts and traffic violations, as they seek improved salaries and stricter laws that make it easier to prosecute criminals, said Rodrigo Franco, head of Brasilia’s Civil Police Union.

“No crimes will be investigated today,” Franco said by phone. “We’re tired of seeing criminals walk free three or four days after we arrest them.”

Brazil’s civil police primarily investigate crimes. The military police focus more on crime prevention, in part through street patrols.

Today’s protests follow a walkout last week by military police in the northeastern city of Recife that forced the government to send in the national guard and army troops amid reports of looting. Yesterday teachers marched in Sao Paulo’s center as striking bus drivers blocked roads and shut terminals.

Civil police officers in Brasilia this afternoon are scheduled to march to the so-called Square of the Three Powers between the legislature, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace.