Zeroing in on laser from air to ground

By Lia Bichel
A CRANBOURNE man faces up to two years’ jail for allegedly shining a laser at a police helicopter last week.
The 21-year-old will face several charges, after the incident on 3 September.
About 9.40pm, a police air wing crew were struck by the laser from the ground in Hampton Park.
Crews were able to pinpoint the origin of the laser from a party in Craigie Court.
They used a forward-looking infra-red device to zoom in and film the person who continued to point the laser.
Narre Warren police attended the residence, where they identified the man and seized the laser.
He was charged with interfering with aircraft, reckless conduct endangering life, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, possessing a prohibited weapon, using a prohibited weapon and bringing a prohibited weapon into Victoria.
He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 24 November.
The maximum penalty for interfering with crew or aircraft, a Commonwealth offence, is two years in jail.
Police Air Wing Inspector Mark Stella said Melbourne had the highest number of incidents involving laser lights.
“These incidents are occurring far too frequently in Melbourne,” Insp Stella said.
“It is vitally important that everyone understands that the danger of using a laser device and directing it at an aircraft has the potential to disorient and harm the aircrew to the extent of putting the aircraft in danger.
“The ultimate consequences of this could be catastrophic and could result in the loss of many lives, both in the aircraft and on the ground.”
Inspector Stella said Victoria Police and other aviation operators would take strong and immediate action to prosecute anyone who may use one of these lasers against any aircraft.
“There are very severe penalties for anyone convicted of an offence of interfering with an aircraft involving the use of these devices,” he said.