Green Laser Directed At Sheriff’s Helicopter, Origin Pinpointed

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Someone pointed a green laser at an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office helicopter conducting an aerial search late Monday night, potentially endangering the pilot, authorities said. Investigators said they were able to pinpoint the residence where the laser originated, and officials from the Federal Aviation Administration will follow up.

The Incident unfolded about 11:25 p.m. when Air 2, part of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, was conducting an air search in the vicinity of Benstein and Loon Lake roads. The laser originated from a residence is in the vicinity of Arlis and Dickert streets, police said.

Shining a laser pointer at an airplane may seem like harmless fun, but it can have deadly consequences. When a laser beam hits a plane windshield, it can light up the whole cockpit, causing pilots to temporarily lose vision. It’s also a federal offense, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

“Directing a laser at any kind of aircraft is extremely dangerous and will be taken seriously,” Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said in a statement. He urged the Michigan Legislature to resume its work in a bill that failed to pass last year that would have further punished those interfering with the safe operation of aircraft.

Currently, only one Michigan city — Dearborn — has laser-pointer legislation. A 1998 ordinance that gained national attention prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from possessing a laser pointer, with exemptions for professions where they’re needed to perform a specific job “and it is necessary for the pointer to be carried on his person.”

The Dearborn ordinance makes it illegal to “focus, point or shine a laser beam directly or indirectly on another person or animal” in such a manner that harasses, annoys or injures the target.

Bouchard urged anyone with information on the laser incident to Crime Stoppers at (800) SPEAK-UP. Tips may be made anonymously, and there is a cash reward of $2,500.

Photo by frankieleon via Flickr Commons