A Seneca II Piper twin engine airplane, used to train the two
suspected terrorists linked to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to
Rudi Deckkers, president and owner of Huffman Aviation, sits on the
Huffman Aviation runway 12 September 2001 in Venice, Florida. The other
plane reportedly used, a Cessna Skyhawk single engine, is at rear.
(Credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)
CHICAGO (CBS) — Plans to keep residents and
dignitaries safe during the NATO Summit include a no-fly zone, with a
shoot-to-kill warning for those who break the ban.
As CBS 2’s Susanna Song reports,
the government is informing small plane pilots that if they enter the no-fly zone during the summit, they may be shot down.
This is no joke. It will be enforced for May 19 to May 21.
The flight advisory was issued by the Federal Aviation
Administration. The advisory bans non-commercial aircraft from flying
within 10 nautical miles of downtown Chicago and below 18,000 feet.
A nautical mile is about one minute of arc of latitude along any
meridian. It amounts to 1,852 meters, or about 1.15078 standard miles.
“The United States Government may use deadly force against the
airborne aircraft, if it is determined that the aircraft poses an
imminent security threat,” the advisory says. “Be advised that
noncompliance with the published (notice to airmen) may result in the
use of force.”
The advisory says lesser violations by airmen might result in civil
penalties and the suspension of airmen certificates, as well as criminal
charges.
The only aircraft allowed to fly within the restricted area include
regularly-scheduled commercial passenger and cargo carriers, police, and
military planes supporting the Secret Service.
This no-fly zone is not new. It has been enforced in Chicago for
presidential visits, and also after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks because
of terrorism-related concerns.
Roger Butler, who lives near McCormick Place, was not surprised to
hear of the temporary flight restrictions directly above his home.
“I think it’s important, I mean, security; we don’t want anything to happen to the city,” Butler said.
Whatever action is necessary must be taken, he said.
“You’ve got to do whatever it takes to make sure that people are safe,” Butler said.
Meanwhile,
the U.S. Postal Service is removing some of the blue mailboxes in the
downtown area and around McCormick Place in the week leading up to the
summit. The Post Office says mail delivery may be disrupted for some zip codes during the summit.
With all the precautions, neighbors still have questions about
security and restrictions. Michael Jackson, the district manager of CD
One Price Cleaners, works at Michigan Avenue and Cermak Road, one block
outside the area that will be closed off during the summit.
He welcomes the extra security, but hopes his customers won’t feel pressured to stay away.
“I believe that Chicago has shown a reputation of handling things
correctly, and I don’t think that’s going to be any different in this
particular case either,” Jackson said, adding that he was “absolutely”
confident in leaders and officials in keeping everyone safe.
Downtown residents are hoping to get some answers to important
questions about the summit at a meeting Wednesday evening, as more and
more business and restaurant owners downtown expressing concerns.
The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton, 160 E.
Pearson St. It is geared toward residents of the Streeterville
neighborhood.
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