Why There's a No-Fly Zone over Ferguson, Missouri?

[Skidmore]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/08/12/3470567/why-theres-a-no-fly-zone-over-ferguson-missouri/

Why There’s A No-Fly Zone Over Ferguson, Missouri"

On Tuesday, a freelance journalist noticed that a no-fly zone had been issued over Ferguson, Missouri, the site of the recent protests over police violence.

Residents have taken to the streets to express their anger at the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old shot dead by a police officer there. Witnesses allege that Brown was innocent and doing nothing but jaywalking, while police officials have stayed vague on the topic. In recent days, the protests have become violent, with police officers using rubber bullets and tear gas to quell unrest.
The reason listed on the Federal Aviation Commission’s website for the no-fly zone over the city is “TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.”


more..

[ChisolmTrailDem]

1. We are living in a nightmare. nt

[randome]

2. Most likely because someone over-reacted to the riot situation.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]A 90% chance of rain means the same as a 10% chance:
It might rain and it might not.[/center][/font][hr]

[Autumn]

3. No video from news helicopters would be my guess.

The air space presents no bodily threat to the police.

[Takket]

4. "SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES"

How does a news helicopter circling overhead endanger cops?

[MrScorpio]

5. Bingo.

[tblue37]

10. By reporting on what they are doing. nt

[TorchTheWitch]

23. far better reporting would come from on the ground

which is obviously already going on and has been otherwise there wouldn't be so many articles, photographs and videos all over the news.

This is just a silly non-issue.

[TheMightyFavog]

17. Collision danger with Police choppers.

Wasn't there an incident a few years back when a news chopper had a midair collision with a police bird during a car chase?

[TorchTheWitch]

24. was this the incident you were thinking of?

Collision of two news helicopters though but it was during a car chase...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Phoenix_news_helicopter_collision

[AgingAmerican]

20. By filming them

in their military gear.

[Louisiana1976]

7. The official reason is "To provide a safe environment for law enforcement activities" but it's also

to prevent media flights over the area. When you combine that with the fact that journalists were told to get away from the area it amounts to an attempt at a news blackout.

[djean111]

8. “TO PROVIDE COVER FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.”

I wonder if they collected or somehow blocked cell phones and landlines and cameras.

[Rex]

9. Because in all seriousness, US citizens are now enemy combatants or protential ECs.

The government decided the burden of fair and partial justice, be thrown out the window after the Great Swindler stole the WH in 2000 and then went on to have the biggest security failure in America history. Instead of the responsible adults calling the WH out onto the carpet for negligence...the PTB created a new national policing force...the DHS. And wrote new draconian laws called the Patriot Act (nice name for an act that suspends fundamental rights for citizens).

I have no idea where we are now...what version of the 'patriot' act are we on now?

[Sienna86]

11. To prevent journalists..

From reporting.

[woo me with science]

31. +1

[Bad Thoughts]

12. Stop "DRONING" on about this subject. eom

[kentauros]

16. And I'm surprised more reporters

don't use drones. I would guess, though, that the cops would start shooting at them...

[TheMightyFavog]

19. I was thinking the same thing with TV Stations.

Drones would be cheaper to operate, have a longer loiter time, pose less risk to humans in dangerous situations, heck with advances in camera technology, you wouldn't even need anything that big.

[kentauros]

21. I know!

And, if there are any buildings nearby, just land on a roof ledge with the camera pointed at the action, power down the motors, and the cops will never know it's there

[Eleanors38]

13. (1) Blackout. (2) Practice. nt

[WillyT]

14. K & R !!!

[jberryhill]

15. Damned Environmentalists!

[Faryn Balyncd]

18. The fascist that ordered this blatant violation of the 1st Amendment should be PROSECUTED to the ...

full extent of the law.


This is a clear attempt to allow the thugs to operate without press coverage, and with zero accountability.


Those responsible should be FIRED, PROSECUTED, CONVICTED, and JAILED.

[MohRokTah]

22. The no-fly zone only goes up to 3000 feet

This is typical any time law enforcement aircraft need to have clear flight over a region.

Read it yourself:

http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/notam_actual_4_2599.html

FDC 4/2599 ZKC MO..AIRSPACE FERGUSON, MO..TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 3 NM RADIUS OF 384428N0901812W (ST LOUIS VORTAC STL129011.0) SFC-3000FT TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. PURSUANT TO 14 CFR SECTION 91.137(A)(2) TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT. ONLY RELIEF AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS UNDER DIRECTION OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE AUTHORIZED IN THE AIRSPACE. AIRCRAFT LANDING AND DEPARTING ST. LOUIS LAMBERT AIRPORT ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS TFR. ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT, TELEPHONE [phone], IS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATION. KANSAS CITY /ZKC/ ARTCC, TELEPHONE [phone], IS THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY. 1408121315-1408182000

[cloudbase]

25. It's 3,000 feet MSL,

which is only 2,500 feet above ground level.

[MohRokTah]

27. So the idea is to mostly insure no collisions with LE helicopters.

Thanks for translating for me.

[Android3.14]

33. Uh-huh

Think again...
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/11/report-ferguson-no-fly-zone-was-aimed-at-media.html

[Lint Head]

26. Fascists must be protected.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

28. Where's the damned cell phone footage already?

http://www.viralglobalnews.com/u-s-stories/st-louis-police-shoot-kill-unarmed-18-year-old-michael-brown-community-demands-answers/14237/

"...A witness reports she was waiting for a ride when she saw Brown near a police vehicle, he was not cuffed, but reportedly had his hands up in the air. The witness has turned over cell phone footage to investigators. ..."

[liberal N proud]

29. It is possible it has something to do with the proximity to the airport.

[Historic NY]

30. DRONES..

[woo me with science]

32. kick