WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government agreed to a police request to restrict more than 37 square miles of airspace surrounding Ferguson for 12 days in August for safety, but audio recordings show that
local authorities privately acknowledged the purpose was to keep away news helicopters during violent street protests.
The St. Louis County police released the following statement in response:
"The St. Louis County Police Department reaffirms the reason the request for restricted airspace was made, was due to the hostile nature of certain persons on the ground that fired gunshots at the police helicopter, as well as used a laser device pointed at the police helicopter. The pilots made the decision to request that all aircraft, not just media aircraft, be restricted for the safety of those using that airspace."
