[tweakmonkey]

My friend has a laser that was modified a few years ago to melt through styrafoam cups. I guess laser guns aren't too far off?

FBI zaps couple for shining laser at cop helicopter

The US attorney’s office and the FBI this week charged a California couple with shining a laser into the cockpit of a sheriff’s department helicopter, a federal criminal complaint that could land them in jail for up to 20 years and earn them a $250,000 fine.

The federal criminal complaint was filed on December 13, against Jared Dooley and Kendra Snow. 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.

Despite the vision problems, the pilot and a tactical observer in the helicopter were able to pinpoint the origin of the laser beam at Dooley’ house. On November 27, FBI and local police executed a federal search warrant, locating a hand-held green laser device in Dooley’s pickup truck and a red laser device in his home. Both Dooley and Snow later admitted they had used the green laser device on the night of the incident, the FBI stated. Snow told investigating agents that she and Dooley were standing in the driveway on November 8 and “taking turns shining the laser around watching the tracers in the sky.”

Lasers pose a safety hazard to flight operations, the FBI said and between 1990 and 2005 there were over 400 of them. The focused beams of a laser light remain powerful at extended viewing distances and can expose pilots to radiation levels above those considered to be flight safe. Brief exposure to even a relatively low-powered laser beam can cause discomfort and temporary visual impairments, such as glare, flash blind, and afterimages.

The FBI noted that it is illegal to target aircraft and represents a danger to flight crews and, potentially, the public from an accident that could occur if a flight crew is impaired in its ability to safely operate its aircraft. Many lasers are over 10 times more powerful than the typical red laser pointers used in the classroom or workplace and can cause significant damage to the eyes.

And there has been a rash of incidents recently.

· A 13-year-old boy was arrested in November on suspicion of reckless endangerment after he allegedly pointed a green laser at a Phoenix Police Department helicopter, police said.

· Three police forces and the US Coast Guard on this month chased down a Boston-area man who faces the possibility of federal charges after allegedly pointing a hand-held laser beam at a helicopter.

· Last week a UK man was arrested after he almost caused a police helicopter to crash when he shone a laser into the pilot's eyes. The laser disabled the crew’s night-vision lights.

This was on the front page of Slashdot. What's funny is, I used to live in Bakersfield...

FBI zaps couple for shining laser at cop helicopter | NetworkWorld.com Community

[msgwtco]

I remember hearing incidents of this happening in the past. People need to be start being responsible and reading the warning labels on things.

[ATIzed]

DUH, don't point lasers at aircraft. But, people are careless and can't see beyond entertaining themselves or their goofy friends.

[Ranger]

we had stupidly powerful lazers to shine at people as part of escalation of force procedures. we burned a hole in paper with them. good stuff.

[mistawiskas]

I drove by a group (5) of young kids, probably 12-13 years old one night after work. it was dark and they lit up my rear-view mirror with a green lazer. I had to pull over and let my eyes heal from the temp blindness cause by that beam. Them damn things are dangerous in the wrong hands.

[-Sevendust-]

Distractions for flying is a no no. I ride helicopters 2 times a week. Dont need some dick to be shining shit at them when they crash often enough. Even though I only fly over water thats besides the point

Had a helicopter crash last week. It was the main anchorage hospitals lifeline helicopter. Sad day.

[Juballharshaw]

To be fair, there isn't much else to do in Bakersfield...

[86mcss]

i hadnt seen this on the local news...

[Torx]

stock up on lasers, they'll be banned soon.

[integra00]

Originally Posted by Torx

stock up on lasers, they'll be banned soon.

you know it