How safe is POA? (Porto Alegre)

Hi there!

Probably a common question, but because some Brazilian friends gave me a warning before going to Brazil, I would like to hear about foreigners and locals living there how dangerous is POA?

Of course avoiding walking on the night, etc. My idea is to do a normal life there while I'm attending to a Portuguese course.

I checked this web:

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And seems to be that POA became quite dangerous the last months/years.

Anyway, any advice or help would be appreciated :)

Thanks!
Eduardo.