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.
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Warplanes will defend Chicago’s skies during NATO
by nolan peterson May 17, 2012 AS PUBLISHED ON MEDIll reports
Warplanes will be over Chicago on Friday, and fighter jets will be on alert this weekend – all to keep Chicago’s skies safe during this week’s NATO summit, according to a statement released Thursday by the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
NORAD said it will conduct an air defense exercise over Chicago on Friday to give the FAA, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Coast Guard and the NATO Joint Operations Center an opportunity to practice coordinating air intercept and identification skills. Aircraft participating in the exercise include tankers, jet fighters and a helicopter.
The exercise is called Amalgam Virgo 12-NATO.
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.
Ex-Marine trades his combat fatigues for Chicago Police officer’s badge
BY NOLAN PETERSON on Medill Reports
May 03, 2012
For many area veterans, service to the nation does not end after returning from war. Eleven out of Chicago’s 46 newest police officers have served in the military. Patrick Martino, a former Marine and recent Chicago Police Academy graduate, is one example of the returning heroes who have traded combat fatigues for police badges.
Think the city will be insane during NATO? Alert system will help you find out
by Nolan Peterson May 02, 2012
A free text message and voicemail alert service will provide real-time public safety updates to area residents during the NATO summit later this month.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications will receive minute by minute updates from the NATO host committee as well as from area police, fire, traffic and aviation agencies throughout the May 20-21 event.
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Chicago on edge: Law-enforcement not the only ones with pre-NATO jitters
by Nolan Peterson April 26, 2012
Downtown residents and businesses are bracing for next month’s NATO summit in Chicago, with insurance companies giving advice, building managers getting training and at least one property manager urging residents to leave town for the weekend.
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