Earlier this year, a Dallas medic aboard a care flight helicopter was injured while caring for a patient. The injury was not caused by the actions of the pilot or faulty medical equipment but from a laser pointer. Yes, the same laser pointer that flashed across the screen of nearly every movie you went to see during the early 2000s. Laser strikes, or “lasing” crimes, have seen a recent spike in activity causing both local and federal agencies to crack down on the crime.
While seemingly harmless from the ground, laser pointers aimed at aircraft can temporarily blind pilots threatening all passengers on board. Dallas authorities recognize this risk and are hoping their new joint campaign with federal agencies will put an end to the prank. The rate of lasing incidents in the Dallas area, only 90 for 2013, is significantly lower than in other Texas areas such as Houston and San Antonio which saw 155 and 149 incidents respectively. Lasing crimes are classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Texas state law and carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
Dallas isn’t alone in the crackdown on lasing, the FBI is set to roll out public safety messages at theaters nationwide. Next time you head to the movies make sure you get there early to catch the previews and the FBI’s newest advertisements against lasing crimes. With the hopes of protecting pilots from damaging laser pointers, the advertisements encourage reports of lasing with a reward of $10,000. Those charged with a federal lasing crime face a felony charge of up to a five year sentence in prison and a fine of $11,000.
While most law enforcement agencies are particularly interested in lasing crimes related to aircraft, the Russia v. Algeria World Cup game has made it clear that lasing can be detrimental on the ground as well. Over the course of the game, one of Algeria’s fans used a laser pointer to distract and blind the Russian goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev. FIFA was unable to identify who was using the laser pointer and have instead taken action against the Algerian Men’s National Team fining them 50,000 Swiss francs (about $56,170) for the incident.
Unless you’re giving a presentation or playing “Catch the Dot” with your cat, there really aren’t too many reasons to have a laser pointer. Most lasing crimes start out as pranks, however, the penalties for interfering with an aircraft are far too steep. If you’re looking for a fun prank, lasing just isn’t it.
