Couple Busted For Shining Laser At Helicopter

Posted by kdawson on Thursday December 20, 2007 @06:24AM from the do-not-look-directly-into-laser-beam-with-your-remaining-eye dept.

coondoggie sends us to another Network World piece, this one about a couple charged with shining a green laser into the cockpit of a police helicopter. The FBI and the US attorney's office charged the California couple under a federal statute. They could end up paying a $250,000 fine and doing 20 years of jail time. "The complaint states that on November 8, 2007, at about 10:55 p.m., a green laser beam illuminated the cockpit of a Kern County Sheriff's Department helicopter, which was flying at 500 feet during routine patrol in Bakersfield, California. When the light hit the cockpit, it disoriented the Kern County Sheriff's pilot, causing pain and discomfort in his eyes for a couple of hours, the FBI said in a statement."

2 of 863 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Re:What kind of laser? by cayenne8 · 2007-12-20 06:36 · Score: 5, Interesting

"One of the advertised uses for a green laser is as a "sky pointer".
So, what if these people were using it 'as advertised', to point to sky objects, and this pilot flew INTO their beam? Is that still a chargeable crime? Do they have to prove intent of these people trying to shine it at the helicopter to cause damage or pain to the pilot?

--
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
Re:What kind of laser? by Franio · 2007-12-20 06:49 · Score: 5, Interesting

Even shooting a laser through a public space (meaning anywhere outdoors) in the US is considered a misdemeanor. Pointing at a police office is a more serious crime because they may mistake it for a gun.

So while 'sky pointing' is advertised as a feature, it doesn't actually mean that it may be used that way.