I heard that they had closed off part of down St. Paul on 8/29 so I headed down there a little before 10pm. There was an area closed off from the Excel Energy Center north to I-35E. Mostly police maned the blockades. Yellow tape had roped off roads, sidewalks, and entire parking lots.
While walking I watched, or mostly heard, helicopters flying very low overhead. Going down one street I found some plan clothes officials with badges and assault rifles. Being approached by one telling me to turn around, I asked what was going on. He told me that helicopters were landing and taking off. Later talking to a different officer I could hear the low flying helicopter flying directly overhead. Following the sound I could not see the helicopter.
Finally getting to a place where I could attempt to record the events, I watched and listened. I actually got a good glimpse of on as it past in front of a parking ramp giving me a good since of how low it was. It flew about 25 ft above the ground in a non-cordoned off area with no lights. People on pub deck covering their ears searching the sky for the source of the sound.
Also from this vantage point I saw a green targeting "Laser" go from a plane to the ground or vise verse. Also heard what sound like 6 shots fired from 1 gun very rapidly.
These maneuvers are dangerous and putting civilians at risk. They are expensive (Black hawk per hour cost is around $5,000.) Should we be spending our money on these risky operations?
Toby Iverson @TshirtToby