by Arrests for Laser Attacks on Helicopters
In Florida, law enforcement officers arrested two suspects for attacks on helicopters using laser pointers. In both cases, onboard aircraft cameras recorded the incidents and helped ground patrols find the guilty parties. Both suspects now face criminal charges.
High-Definition Evidence
In Tampa, the aviation unit of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported several laser strikes on September 21. Using the helicopter’s powerful camera, law enforcement directed ground units to the Avina apartment complex, where they found 13-year-old Angel Leisen. The teenager was charged with the unlawful use of a laser device, which is a third-degree felony in Florida.
Manatee County Sheriff stated: “Shine a laser pointer at a sheriff’s helicopter – expect to end up in jail.”
Identical Incident in Bradenton
A few days earlier, an almost identical situation occurred in Bradenton. A helicopter crew reported a laser attack from the yard of a private house. Law enforcement officers precisely identified the source of the emission and arrested 39-year-old Tony Hill, who was holding a laser pointer in his hand. Hill faces up to five years in prison.
Danger of Laser Attacks
Although the FAA has not recorded any accidents due to laser attacks, there is evidence of pilots experiencing temporary vision loss. In 2024, one pilot reported that he was saved only by modern instruments in the cockpit after being temporarily blinded by a laser. Thousands of such cases are registered every year – in the last year and a half alone, over 18,000 incidents have been recorded.
It should be noted that the problem of laser attacks on aviation is much broader than it seems at first glance. Modern surveillance system technologies allow for the precise identification of dangerous emission sources, significantly increasing the likelihood of apprehending the guilty. The growing number of such incidents indicates the need for enhanced public awareness campaigns about the danger of such “innocent” pastimes.
