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Category Archives: photography
NATO protests in Chicago: May 20-21, 2012
A selection of photos from multiple protests around downtown Chicago during the 2012 NATO summit. An example of democracy in action, and a reminder to respect all voices – no matter how disruptive they may be.
Unlicensed pilots operating drone aircraft in Illinois airspace
BY NOLAN PETERSON, MAY 15, 2012 As published on MEDILL REPORTS
The FAA said it has met a key congressional requirement to streamline the integration of unmanned drone aircraft, known as UAVs, into U.S. airspace by 2015 – allowing public agencies to operate drones with fewer restrictions.
The Illinois Army National Guard has already been operating its Shadow drone in Illinois airspace for six months, but Army regulations do not require certified pilots to remotely operate drones – leaving some aviation experts to question what training requirements should be expected of drone pilots now that their airframes share the sky with domestic commercial aviation.
Despite recommendations, FAA still not budging on mandatory bird strike reports
BY NOLAN PETERSON As published on Medill Reports
One Canada goose: 10 pounds.
One Airbus A320 jetliner: 172,000 pounds.
Combine the two at 200 miles per hour, and 155 lives are suddenly in need of a miracle in the Hudson.
Last month the FAA announced a revised plan to lower the risk of bird strikes to aircraft through research and wildlife management. This strategy relies on database analysis and predictive models, yet fails to make reporting bird strikes mandatory – a move some experts say will hinder the effectiveness of the program.
“We were lucky with the Hudson ditching, the next one will be a smoking hole in the ground – I just hope there aren’t a lot of people aboard,” said Ed Herricks, professor emeritus of environmental engineering at the University of Illinois, referring to the 2009 incident involving US Airways Flight 1549 in New York.
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Israel’s Counter-terrorism Experience: Preparing for the Next Generation of Threat Scenarios
Symposium Summary By Nolan Peterson
Introduction
Nearly 100 Chicago-area law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies, including FBI, Chicago Police Department, Cook County Dept. of Homeland Security, local municipal police departments, and the Illinois State Police participated in a symposium on emerging terrorist threat scenarios on March 26, 2012, in Chicago.
The conference was organized by the National Strategy Forum, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Consulate of Israel to the Midwest, and featured three distinguished speakers from the International Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT).
The speakers focused on three strategic issues: global terrorism trends, the interconnectivity of Hezbollah with international crime and radicalization techniques on the web.
The speakers provided valuable strategic insights for law-enforcement personnel.
Trading camouflage for badges: Vets going to back to work in law-enforcement
Published on Medill Reports
by Nolan Peterson April 17, 2012
Joblessness and rising crime rates may have a common remedy.
National and area programs meant to put vets back to work have made law enforcement careers an attractive option after military service – making a valuable manpower resource more accessible to area law enforcement.
Haiti
Photo selections from a photojournalism assignment to Haiti in March 2012. My mission was to document the heroic work of an organization called Doctors United for Haiti.
Kilimanjaro
Photo selections from a 2005 trip to Tanzania and Kenya to climb Mt Kilimanjaro – the highest peak in Africa. Kilimanjaro is the tallest volcano in the world and despite being located on the equator its upper flanks are covered by snow and glacier. Unfortunately, these fabled snows are quickly disappearing as a result of global warming and will soon exist only in Hemingway’s immortal words.
New Zealand
Photo selections from a 2010 trip to New Zealand. A place of stark contrasts and incredible beauty.