Ban on low-flying aircraft over Ferguson extended

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration has extended a ban on flights operating below 3,000 feet over Ferguson, Missouri, for a week “to provide a safe environment for law enforcement activities.”

The Washington Post said the notice, now effective through Aug. 25, was issued at the direction of Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

The St. Louis County Police Department had asked for the initial restrictions last week because its helicopter was shot at during looting and unrest. That notice had lasted through Monday. The FAA agreed to order the first round of restrictions early last week to give police helicopters unrestricted access to that airspace.

Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, has faced growing racial unrest since an unarmed 18-year-old black man was shot by a white police officer on Aug. 9.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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