Police Search for Culprit Who Pointed Lasers at Los Alamitos Aircraft

Authorities are asking for help finding people who have been pointing lasers at aircraft flying to and from the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base recently.

It’s a federal crime to point lasers at aircraft, and it’s dangerous because the lasers can be blinding to pilots especially as they wear night vision optics. It’s a common misconception that the laser pointer projects a simple red or green dot. When the laser hits a helicopter’s windscreen, it engulfs the entire cockpit in a bright light. The crime is punishable by three years in state prison and a fine of $2,000 or up to 20 years in Federal prison. Each strike on an aircraft is considered a separate felony offense – whether the person turns the laser on and off or aims it elsewhere for a moment before returning the pointer to the aircraft.

Joint Forces Training Base aircrews have reported several incidents of ground-to-air laser interference with aircraft recently.

“Never interfere with landings or take offs or point lasers of any type toward the Los Alamitos Army Airfield,” Maj. Jeff Sibley, the airfield manager said in a written statement.

On-base security forces and local law enforcement agencies have been alerted to the incidents of a green laser being shot from the ground toward aircraft above, according to Sibley.

“This is a federal offense as it endangers the safety of the aircrews,” he said. Once the laser’s point of origin is located, offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

According to statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration, the number of total laser pointer incidents has increased from 1,527 in 2009 to 2,836 in 2010. Officials blame the increase on the increasing availability and affordability of high-powered laser pointers.

LAX reported more incidents than any other airport with 102 reports last in 2010. In the Los Angeles and Orange County areas, 201 incidents were reported, with Ontario reporting 32, John Wayne Airport reporting 32, Burbank recording 31; Los Alamitos Joint Forces Base reporting 21; Van Nuys reporting 16, Long Beach reporting 15; Santa Monica reporting 11; and Torrance Airport reporting three incidents.

In 2009, a 37-year-old man from Orange was the first in the U.S. to be arrested and convicted for interfering with pilots by beaming lasers at planes. He received 2 1/2 years in prison.  

Last week, a Lake Forest man was arrested and jailed on $20,000 bail for allegedly pointing a laser at an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter. Last year, a 16-year-old Los Alamitos boy was arrested for allegedly pointing a laser at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Helicopter.

If you have any information regarding these incidents, call Sibley at 562-795-2571. To report an incident of laser shooting call the JFTB Security Office at 562-795-2100.