Yonkers man charged with shining laser at police chopper

[x635 4,066]

Yonkers man charged with shining laser at police chopper

By Shawn Cohen • spcohen@lohud.com • September 7, 2010

YONKERS — A city man was accused of shining a laser at a Westchester County police helicopter as it traveled above northwest Yonkers last night.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20100907/NEWS02/9070352/Yonkers-man-charged-with-shining-laser-at-police-chopper

[PFDRes47cue 653]

You have got to love stupid people. I'm happy he got arrests and charged. Thankfully, the helicopter was not effected.

Edited September 8, 2010 by PFDRes47cue

[x635 4,066]

I forgot to ask, hasn't this happened multiple times in Yonkers?

Good job by Yonkers PD on getting this guy! I wonder what his motive was?

[Alpinerunner 61]

Good catch Chris192 and partners!

[helicopper 1,050]

I forgot to ask, hasn't this happened multiple times in Yonkers?

Good job by Yonkers PD on getting this guy! I wonder what his motive was?

This is the second time that we've been hit in Yonkers - both times resulted in an arrest. We were hit once in White Plains too but unfortunately there was no arrest in that case.

There have been several reported incidents involving airplanes over the past year in/around Westchester. A few near the airport and other isolated cases elsewhere. The problem is nearly epidemic in the industry. The Philadelphia/Baltimore area has been getting inundated with these incidents thanks to exceptionally bright laser "toys" being sold on the Jersey Shore and in Ocean City, MD.

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100908/NEWS01/100908007/1002/MARYLAND--Police-warn-of-laser-danger-after-OC-incident

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/aug/29/local/la-me-faa-laser-20100829

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/7188560.html

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Laser+pointer+incident+injures+HAWC1+crew+members+Calgary+charged/3409375/story.html

[STAT213 332]

So those little laser pointers used for presentations have good enough range and power to hit something hundreds or even thousands of feet away? Really? Or are these toolbags using something more powerful?

[Guest jackbauer]

Good job Westchester County Police on the grab...and yes the laser was much stronger than a laser pointer for classroom use. It was a class 3 laser that could illuminate targets nearly a mile away!!!

[aviator70 16]

So those little laser pointers used for presentations have good enough range and power to hit something hundreds or even thousands of feet away? Really? Or are these toolbags using something more powerful?

Yep, those little ones can do it. Believe ot or not.

[aviator70 16]

This is the second time that we've been hit in Yonkers - both times resulted in an arrest. We were hit once in White Plains too but unfortunately there was no arrest in that case.

There have been several reported incidents involving airplanes over the past year in/around Westchester. A few near the airport and other isolated cases elsewhere. The problem is nearly epidemic in the industry. The Philadelphia/Baltimore area has been getting inundated with these incidents thanks to exceptionally bright laser "toys" being sold on the Jersey Shore and in Ocean City, MD.

http://www.delmarvan...ter-OC-incident

http://articles.lati...-laser-20100829

http://www.chron.com...on/7188560.html

http://www.montrealg...9375/story.html

That heli is a awesome tool, it can find a nedle in a haystack from 2000 feet up! I recall listening to the first Yonkers incident, awesome how they caugh this guy. As the poster stated, it is huge issue getting worse.

[aviator70 16]

I forgot to ask, hasn't this happened multiple times in Yonkers?

Good job by Yonkers PD on getting this guy! I wonder what his motive was?

No motive, just stupidity!

[helicopper 1,050]

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_16026/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=G6nSuwIY

NEW YORK (AP) - A 15-year-old boy damaged his eyes while playing with a laser pointer he'd bought over the Internet, say doctors who warn that dangerously high-powered versions are easily available online.

One eye expert called it "a legitimate public health menace."

[Just a guy 493]

A great job by all involved !!! Thank God the air crew were OK and had one moron under !!

[JetPhoto 626]

When I read that article I said hey I've heard of that detective, good job Chris and fellow officers.

[WAS967 97]

Stupid question here, but.....how did you know the laser was on you? Is it overly obvious, like reflecting all over the place, or something else.

[ny10570 745]

The more powerful 5mW green lasers started becoming more popular with astronomy enthusiasts and have ranges of over a mile for less than $20. If you're willing to shop overseas (thank you google) you can go as powerful as you want to pay for. Lasers that can light cigarets at close range, burst balloons, and do real eye damage are battery powered and pen sized while lab quality lasers with a DC converter are available for a few bucks more.

[FFLieu 70]

What's next? In-home uses for the same laser that they used when I had my PRK done 2 years ago? Like firearms, is there anyway to regulate the sale and use of lasers?

[ny10570 745]

Yes, and like firearms, the laws only apply to those who choose to follow them.

[FFLieu 70]

I guess that could be said for just about everything. You gotta love how stupid some people are to think that they'll get away with shining something like a laser at an aircraft or even the body of a LEO. Someone did that a few years ago at Yankee Stadium. I can't remember if they were caught or not, but it's just absolutely crazy that someone would even consider doing something like that.

[helicopper 1,050]

I guess that could be said for just about everything. You gotta love how stupid some people are to think that they'll get away with shining something like a laser at an aircraft or even the body of a LEO. Someone did that a few years ago at Yankee Stadium. I can't remember if they were caught or not, but it's just absolutely crazy that someone would even consider doing something like that.

Somebody lasered the blimp from Yankee Stadium a few weeks ago. They were trying to get the video to see if they could arrest somebody but I don't know the final outcome.

WAS, it's like having somebody blast you with highbeams - you know when you're getting illuminated.

[SRS131EMTFF 471]

Somebody lasered the blimp from Yankee Stadium a few weeks ago. They were trying to get the video to see if they could arrest somebody but I don't know the final outcome.

WAS, it's like having somebody blast you with highbeams - you know when you're getting illuminated.

so do you guys get your protractors, compasses and calculators out to figure out the trigonometric function of where it came from? HAHAHA

[jack10562 414]

They can zero in pretty close to the source, I'll wager.

Laser beams are like tracer bullets... they work both ways.

[Tapout 42]

No trig necessary. Just light up the general area from which the blinding beam came and send a marked car to pick up the dumb... mo still standing there with his new lighty toy in his hand.

Duh. Stupidity is job security for us.

[RescueKujo 130]

We just had a case like this last night...idiot had 2 of his "toys" and he and a friend were shining both lasers at the SDPD helo...best part, the friend had felony warrants out for him...so he's definately staying in the can for a while...