Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office REMINDS the Public that Misuse of Laser Lighting Device is a FELONY

On July 16, 2010 at 06:20 am, Captain Julie Stevens, Channel 5 helicopter pilot, reported a laser incident approximately 2 miles south west of the Palm Beach International Airport. She advised that the male subject purposely struck her five (5) separate times while she hovered over a car accident with a green laser light. The subject passed the light over her left eye and illuminated the cock pit for approximately 5 seconds each time. She could not give me an exact location; however she said it was coming from Dryden Road and Coral Drive, WPB. She advised that she attempted to follow the subject with the helicopters camera but each time the subject would turn off the laser and hide in the woods.

There has been an ongoing problem with the misuse of a green laser that has been pointed into the cockpits of aircrafts landing at PBIA. 

*        Misuse of Laser Lighting Device is a 3^rd degree felony. 

*        Any person who knowingly and willfully shines, points, or focuses the beam of a laser lighting device on an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft and such act results in bodily injury commits a felony in the 2^nd degree felony. 

*        If the aircraft were to crash it would be a 1^st degree felony

Should anyone witness the misuse of a Laser Lighting Device please report it immediately to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the nearest law enforcement agency, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS or text tips @  tips@cspbc.com.