I wonder what they thought might happen?
It may have seemed like a good idea — just a harmless stunt — at the time.
But the pointing of a green laser at both a FedEx airliner and the Erie County Sheriff’s helicopter multiple times Thursday night has led to felony criminal charges against three men, and a strong rebuke from a group of top local officials today.
The pilot of the sheriff’s Air One helicopter, Capt. Kevin Caffery, cited the risks people take if they point a laser into a pilot’s eyes.
“There’s a good chance you’re going to wind up in jail,” he said following an afternoon press conference. “At the worst, you could bring down an aircraft and kill a lot of people.”
These morons actually have defenders in the comment boxes.
Sir,
Same thing happened to me in the night PAR pattern two years ago at Mugu. It has a charming blinding after effect that makes your instruments all the harder to see on a zero illum night.
I used the “mark on top” function for a rough lat/long and called the sheriff (and ATC) once on deck. No luck.
They were using an “astronomy grade” laser pointer as well. Not cool. Anyone defending this as innocuous is sorely off point.
(snip)These morons actually have defenders in the comment boxes.(snip)
Not here, one assumes …
Are they stupid or ignorant is the real question. From a legal point of view. Has anyone seen anything as to WHY they thought this was such a great idea at the time?
Nice pic Satch, btw.
I’ll bet they would not like it if a laser-seeking munition happened to accidently launch. Might ruin their day. AQ in Iraq began to fear that our ground forces had death rays that caused them to combust due to the fact that they would see a green beam and next thing they knew they went up in flames.
This has happened at the Seattle-Tacoma Int’l. Airport (SEA-TAC)as well, with local authorities hot on the trail of the wrong-doers. Local TV evening news has even gone so far as to pin-point the locale of the laser source using their own news choppers.
Moron is the perfect descriptor for the perps; what do they expect to happen as a result of their actions? I agree with Edward: a laser-seeking munition would be the perfect ending.
The proof will be in the pudding as they say. Let’s see what what they’re charged with and what kind of sentence they get
when and if they’re caught..
VX: They did catch three individuals. As far as sentence: A case that went to court in 2006 ended with three years behind bars for the goofball that lazed a SW flight. For some reason the crime is growing. More than 1,500 incidents were reported to the FAA.
I hope they make an example of these guys.
Simple, really. Don’t shout “FIRE” in a crowded theater, and don’t laze Sheriff Helos.
Just send me cash, accolades don’t buy scotch.
You know, placing idiots in the pokey for the crime of being idiots is really just soaking the taxpayer and robbing a fast food joint of its next french fry technician, a loss to both the taxpayer and the free market.
I propose a parole option, we can expose them to a laser, they can discover it causes severe vision problems, they can go on their merry until it happens again.
“With your remaining eye please do not look directly into laser.” – Sign at anonymous lab, ISU, 1984.
– Max
If stupidity were an offense punishable by jail time 52% of the US Population should be doing time right now….
If stupidity were an offense I would be in jail more than I would care to admit to.
So, just how about those “other” times you DO care to admit to, Ron? We’re all ears.
Umm, umm: I am unable to remember? No Comment? Statute of Limitations? Fifth Amendment?
V/R
Perhaps I was too subtle here and precision is required. I refer to the 52% of those who voted Democrat in the last Presidential election. Minimum sentence 4 to 8 years with no parole.
Same thing happened here in Cleveland last year, Police helicopter was able to catch them in the act.
http://carrollforlakewood.blogspot.com/2008/06/dont-get-caught-with-laser-near-airport.html#links