[Laser] LAPD arrests 7 over LASER pointers

[bernieS]

Interesting that the City of Los Angeles has reportedly outlawed the 
possession of laser pointers and laser-style devices during public 
demonstrations, rallies, protests or picket lines.

Also interesting is the LAPD and LA DA's Office reportedly charged 
someone with "Assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer" for 
allegedly pointing a laser pointer at them.  Deadly weapon?

This article also reports that LAPD Chief Michel Moore stated that 
people pointed green lasers at officers responding to street 
takeovers, and that those people were arrested and charged with 
"felony discharge of a laser".  Felony discharge of a LASER?

This kind of unscientific hysteria about LASERS is giving them a bad name.

-bernieS


https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-29/lapd-arrests-seven-people-for-pointing-lasers-at-police-helicopters

LAPD arrests 7 over laser pointers
Incidents in July were related to strikes on police helicopters, 
mostly during street takeovers, officials say.

BY MELISSA HERNANDEZ

At least seven people were arrested in July for allegedly pointing 
lasers at police helicopters, mostly during illegal street takeovers, 
according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"The laser strikes present a serious risk of injury to the pilots and 
crew of the aircraft," the department said in a statement. "The 
attack has its own penal code section created for it due to the risk 
to the general public caused by an incapacitated or blind pilot."

In November 2020, Los Angeles outlawed the possession of laser 
pointers and laser-style devices during public demonstrations, 
rallies, protests or picket lines.

Only one of the seven people was identified: Xavier Randall, 21, who 
was arrested July 2 during a street takeover, according to an LAPD 
news release. Randall was charged with one count of assault with a 
deadly weapon on a police officer and a second, unspecified charge.

The six other people face pending criminal charges from the district 
attorney's office, authorities said.

According to the LAPD, there has been "a significant increase in the 
number of arrests" in recent months related to laser beams being 
pointed at officers and aircraft. Lasers are a common gimmick, often 
used along with fireworks, to attract attention to illegal street takeovers.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore tweeted July 6 about two incidents in which 
people pointed green lasers at officers responding to street 
takeovers. Those people were arrested and charged with felony 
discharge of a laser, Moore said.

Pointing lasers at aircraft seems to be a growing problem nationwide. 
There were a record 9,723 incidents of laser strikes reported to the 
Federal Aviation Administration in 2021. So far this year, there have 
been 4,349 incidents nationwide.

In California, intentionally pointing a laser at someone is a 
misdemeanor crime that carries a penalty of up to 30 days in jail. 
Intentionally pointing a laser at a police aircraft can be a 
misdemeanor or a felony, with charges of one to three years in jail.