Starting May1st, federal law enforcement will start to protect what law enforcement agencies have labeled “Operation Red Zone”.
The perimeter for this zone is Harrison Street to the south, Adams Street to the north, State Street to the east, and Franklin Street to the west. The zone is set up to include the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, the Kluczynski Building, the RH Metcalfe Building and the Metropolitan Correctional Center.
The forces that will start protecting the area May 1st will be carrying “non-lethal” long guns and will not be preventing anyone from entering into the security zone.
The goals of “Operation Red Zone” as stated in the Chicago Sun-Times article are:
- Preserve the peace
- Minimize disruption to the federal complex
- Ensure the public’s safety
- Ensure continued government operations
- Ensure protection of individual rights to peacefully assemble and express opinions
- Protect government property from damage and destruction
- Demonstrate . . . our commitment to employing the highest standards for the safety of government employees and the security of federal facilities with our core mission to safeguard occupants and secure facilities.
The public should expect some nonviolent demonstrations prior to the NATO summit. However, there are only 3 permitted demonstrations planned at the present moment with 1 on May 18th and 2 on May 20th.
If a “civil disobedience” does occur, the “Red Zone” will be shut down until order is restored.
Businesses that are inside the “Red Zone” were informed to make sure that their security cameras were working properly and to provide a list of their vendors to law enforcement.
For the full article from the Chicago Sun-Times, please click here.