Comments on: Teenager in CA arrested for aiming his laser pointer at a jetliner, commuter bus, and a police helicopter http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 08:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: strathmeyer http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97295 strathmeyer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97295 I'm glad these psychopaths are being caught. People who can't handle the power of owning a laser pointer ruin life for everyone else. I’m glad these psychopaths are being caught. People who can’t handle the power of owning a laser pointer ruin life for everyone else.

]]> By: Agent 86 http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97302 Agent 86 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97302 May I be the first to point out these new lasers don't require 5 minutes of shining directly in the eye to blind someone. You can burn out someones vision in the time it takes them to realize they are/were looking at a laser. "Please do not look into laser with remaining eye" was pretty much made for these new high powered 'toys'. May I be the first to point out these new lasers don’t require 5 minutes of shining directly in the eye to blind someone. You can burn out someones vision in the time it takes them to realize they are/were looking at a laser.

“Please do not look into laser with remaining eye” was pretty much made for these new high powered ‘toys’.

]]> By: Mark Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97303 Mark Frauenfelder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97303 Here's a video of Make senior editor Phillip Torrone demonstrating a green laser pointer. They are much more powerful than a cat-toy pointer! http://cachefly.oreilly.com/make/laserfun.mov Here’s a video of Make senior editor Phillip Torrone demonstrating a green laser pointer. They are much more powerful than a cat-toy pointer! http://cachefly.oreilly.com/make/laserfun.mov

]]> By: rblakem http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97306 rblakem Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97306 What exactly is he being charged with? What was the couple charged with? I had one when I was a kid and I pointed it at everything. What exactly is he being charged with? What was the couple charged with? I had one when I was a kid and I pointed it at everything.

]]> By: Brett Burton http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97309 Brett Burton Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97309 A friend of mine once spent the weekend in central booking after accidentilly shining a laser at a cop. He was playing with a friend's cat and didn't realize the laser was shining out on to the street below until multiple police cars showed up with their lights flashing. He had a pretty scary ordeal that involved being robbed by the police and his cell mates. Eventually he got community service. A friend of mine once spent the weekend in central booking after accidentilly shining a laser at a cop. He was playing with a friend’s cat and didn’t realize the laser was shining out on to the street below until multiple police cars showed up with their lights flashing. He had a pretty scary ordeal that involved being robbed by the police and his cell mates. Eventually he got community service.

]]> By: Noelegy http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97565 Noelegy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97565 Not to make light of the kid's malicious idiocy, but is anyone else hearing, in their mind, Dr. Evil talking about "frickin' laser beams"? Who in their right mind gives a teenager (who's presumably not into astronomy) a green laser for a gift? It's just asking for trouble. Not to make light of the kid’s malicious idiocy, but is anyone else hearing, in their mind, Dr. Evil talking about “frickin’ laser beams”?

Who in their right mind gives a teenager (who’s presumably not into astronomy) a green laser for a gift? It’s just asking for trouble.

]]> By: Bevatron Repairman http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97310 Bevatron Repairman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97310 I can't find the federal law against it, but California law is pretty clear (Cal. Penal Code) 247.5. Any person who willfully and maliciously discharges a laser at an aircraft, whether in motion or in flight, while occupied, is guilty of a violation of this section, which shall be punishable as either a misdemeanor by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year or by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or a felony by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, two years, or three years, or by a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000). This section does not apply to the conduct of laser development activity by or on behalf of the United States Armed Forces. As used in this section, "aircraft" means any contrivance intended for and capable of transporting persons through the airspace. As used in this section, "laser" means a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared region of the spectrum, and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave. 248. Any person who, with the intent to interfere with the operation of an aircraft, willfully shines a light or other bright device, of an intensity capable of impairing the operation of an aircraft, at an aircraft, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. I can’t find the federal law against it, but California law is pretty clear (Cal. Penal Code)

247.5. Any person who willfully and maliciously discharges a laser at an aircraft, whether in motion or in flight, while occupied, is guilty of a violation of this section, which shall be punishable as either a misdemeanor by imprisonment in the county jail for not more
than one year or by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or a felony by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, two years,
or three years, or by a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000). This section does not apply to the conduct of laser development activity
by or on behalf of the United States Armed Forces.
As used in this section, “aircraft” means any contrivance intended for and capable of transporting persons through the airspace.
As used in this section, “laser” means a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for
generating coherent electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared region of the spectrum, and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave.

248. Any person who, with the intent to interfere with the operation of an aircraft, willfully shines a light or other bright
device, of an intensity capable of impairing the operation of an aircraft, at an aircraft, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97311 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97311 Why don't they lock up a few of these irresponsible astronomers for attempted genocide? Did they ever stop to think that we're not the only ones standing tall against terror? What happens when Galactic Homeland Security, fearful because of a terrorist attack thousands of millenia ago, use *their* Patriot Act to justify blasting Earth after a night of laser pointing? Oh, the humanity! Why don’t they lock up a few of these irresponsible astronomers for attempted genocide? Did they ever stop to think that we’re not the only ones standing tall against terror? What happens when Galactic Homeland Security, fearful because of a terrorist attack thousands of millenia ago, use *their* Patriot Act to justify blasting Earth after a night of laser pointing? Oh, the humanity!

]]> By: noen http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97314 noen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97314 A pretty dumb thing to do, but kids do dumb things. I wonder if the parents will be charged? They should be. A pretty dumb thing to do, but kids do dumb things. I wonder if the parents will be charged? They should be.

]]> By: nicheplayer http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97316 nicheplayer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97316 The parents? Why do you think they dumped him off at the relatives' place? Green lasers don't kill people.... The parents? Why do you think they dumped him off at the relatives’ place? Green lasers don’t kill people….

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97319 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97319 Can somebody please explain how you could use a laser pointer to point out astronomical objects. The laser isn't visible until it hits something, right? How long do you have to spend in the back yard before you see a little green spot show up on the surface of Arrakis? Can somebody please explain how you could use a laser pointer to point out astronomical objects. The laser isn’t visible until it hits something, right? How long do you have to spend in the back yard before you see a little green spot show up on the surface of Arrakis?

]]> By: Cpt. Tim http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97331 Cpt. Tim Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97331 green lasers are visible as they travel through air thanks to Rayleigh scattering green lasers are visible as they travel through air thanks to Rayleigh scattering

]]> By: ninevolt http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97333 ninevolt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97333 Antinous- Drop some chalk dust in front of a laser pointer sometime-- you'll notice the light is scattered off the small particles of chalk as they pass through the laser beam, reflected in all different directions. The same general principle is at work when you're using a green laser outside to designate astronomical objects to others--- as particulate matter impinges on the laser beam, it reflects it in all directions. Milliwatt for milliwatt, green lasers appear much brighter than red lasers because the human eye is *MUCH* more sensitive to green light. ( I forgot the difference, and I don't have my Optics notes handy to check. ) Antinous-

Drop some chalk dust in front of a laser pointer sometime– you’ll notice the light is scattered off the small particles of chalk as they pass through the laser beam, reflected in all different directions.

The same general principle is at work when you’re using a green laser outside to designate astronomical objects to others— as particulate matter impinges on the laser beam, it reflects it in all directions.

Milliwatt for milliwatt, green lasers appear much brighter than red lasers because the human eye is *MUCH* more sensitive to green light. ( I forgot the difference, and I don’t have my Optics notes handy to check. )

]]> By: Dave X http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97334 Dave X Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97334 I have to wonder what the ordinary use for something like this would be as well. The "wow" factor of popping balloons and lighting matches has to wear off pretty quick-- it can't take much effort to realize that anyone buying these is quickly going to move on to stupid or dangerous activities. I have to wonder what the ordinary use for something like this would be as well. The “wow” factor of popping balloons and lighting matches has to wear off pretty quick– it can’t take much effort to realize that anyone buying these is quickly going to move on to stupid or dangerous activities.

]]> By: EH http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97338 EH Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97338 I'm going to guess that the police vehicles in this story are effectively (if not actually) unmarked. I’m going to guess that the police vehicles in this story are effectively (if not actually) unmarked.

]]> By: punctiliouspig http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97339 punctiliouspig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97339 Yeah, why would this be a gift? And how did they trace it back to a kid in his grandparents' house? Yeah, why would this be a gift? And how did they trace it back to a kid in his grandparents’ house?

]]> By: noen http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97354 noen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97354 "And how did they trace it back to a kid in his grandparents' house?" If the beam was visible then it would be easy for the helicopter to find the source. I used to work in a mall in the 90's and when the old laser pointers came out kids brought them there. I got shined once and it was frightening. You don't know where it's coming from and you feel violated. It is very much a power trip for the one doing it. I would put it in the same league as an obscene phone call. “And how did they trace it back to a kid in his grandparents’ house?”

If the beam was visible then it would be easy for the helicopter to find the source. I used to work in a mall in the 90′s and when the old laser pointers came out kids brought them there. I got shined once and it was frightening. You don’t know where it’s coming from and you feel violated. It is very much a power trip for the one doing it. I would put it in the same league as an obscene phone call.

]]> By: Antinous http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97355 Antinous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97355 @#s 11 & 12, Thanks! @#s 11 & 12,

Thanks!

]]> By: danegeld http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97357 danegeld Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97357 Even if that green laser doesn't permanently blind, doing something that might dazzle a pilot while they're flying an aircraft is making an accident more likely and for no good reason. That laser should be confiscated and the kid should be made to think about how his actions could affect other people. Even if that green laser doesn’t permanently blind, doing something that might dazzle a pilot while they’re flying an aircraft is making an accident more likely and for no good reason. That laser should be confiscated and the kid should be made to think about how his actions could affect other people.

]]> By: punctiliouspig http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97362 punctiliouspig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97362 Re: #17. Oh I was assuming he was beaming into things very far away. And yes, I hated the laser craze. I used one to point at the ground to exercise my cat and that was all. So much potential to become an annoying jerk. Re: #17. Oh I was assuming he was beaming into things very far away. And yes, I hated the laser craze. I used one to point at the ground to exercise my cat and that was all. So much potential to become an annoying jerk.

]]> By: RealCatholicMen http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97365 RealCatholicMen Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97365 wld thnk th chf dngr s th ftrmg y'd gt frm vn brf flsh by hgh pwrd lsr. Th plt dsn't nd t hv bg bltch n hs vsn whn h's tryng t rd th ltmtr nd cm n fr lndng. ls rcll hrng tht t ws dngrs t vn lk t th spt whr hgh pwrd lsr ws httng, t cld b tht brght. Smply hvng t cntct nywhr n th cckpt, spclly t nght, cld crt dngrs sttn fr plt, 'd bt. wld thnk th chf dngr s th ftrmg y’d gt frm vn brf flsh by hgh pwrd lsr. Th plt dsn’t nd t hv bg bltch n hs vsn whn h’s tryng t rd th ltmtr nd cm n fr lndng.

ls rcll hrng tht t ws dngrs t vn lk t th spt whr hgh pwrd lsr ws httng, t cld b tht brght. Smply hvng t cntct nywhr n th cckpt, spclly t nght, cld crt dngrs sttn fr plt, ‘d bt.

]]> By: mrfitz http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97369 mrfitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97369 pretty soon police will be using these pretty soon police will be using these

]]> By: Mr Ascii http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97382 Mr Ascii Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97382 While I hate to suggest anything that may become legislation, the people that sell laser pointers should include a warning that pointing them at aircraft is illegal and dangerous. NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System has had a couple publications on the dangers of lasers to flight crew. Links are <a href="http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/publications/callback/cb_332.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/publications/directline/dl7_laser.htm">here</a>. The main danger seems to be the loss of night vision. While I hate to suggest anything that may become legislation, the people that sell laser pointers should include a warning that pointing them at aircraft is illegal and dangerous.

NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System has had a couple publications on the dangers of lasers to flight crew. Links are here and here. The main danger seems to be the loss of night vision.

]]> By: morcheeba http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97384 morcheeba Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97384 There's an important distinction to be made, and I just want to make sure everyone's on the same page. Green laser pointers come in two powers: low-power versions (like sold at amazon, usually under $100) are used for sky-pointing. High power versions (like phillip torrone demonstrated) can pop balloons & usually cost from $500-$1500. MRFITZ - The police are already shining lasers at planes: http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/04/15/laser.warn/ There’s an important distinction to be made, and I just want to make sure everyone’s on the same page. Green laser pointers come in two powers: low-power versions (like sold at amazon, usually under $100) are used for sky-pointing. High power versions (like phillip torrone demonstrated) can pop balloons & usually cost from $500-$1500.

MRFITZ – The police are already shining lasers at planes: http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/04/15/laser.warn/

]]> By: js7a http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97391 js7a Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97391 It's odd how Cal. Penal Code 247.5 goes to great lengths to define a laser, but ends the definition with, "and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave." Clearly pulsed lasers, which by their nature can do more damage (if they make it into a retina, which is less likely) are not covered by this law. It’s odd how Cal. Penal Code 247.5 goes to great lengths to define a laser, but ends the definition with, “and when discharged exceeds one milliwatt continuous wave.”

Clearly pulsed lasers, which by their nature can do more damage (if they make it into a retina, which is less likely) are not covered by this law.

]]> By: laserist http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97904 laserist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97904 Wow, back in the bad old days a coworker of mine was annoyed by a police helicopter invading our “clear airspace” (set up in advance with the FAA) and shinning his million power search light on our set up for an outdoor laser event at Griffith Park. He shuttered the 20 watt Argon Laser (20,000 mW!) and climbed up and pointed a scanner at the helicopter. He then opened the shutter to project a “tunnel” around the helicopter – He shuttered it again as the pilot decided to leave the area. The “tunnel” effect is one that anyone familiar with sci-fi movies would recognize. The pilot radioed “officer in distress” and there were a lot of police “flying” up the hill. Yes, there was a law suit – the pilot lost - because he was violating our FAA clear airspace. BTW the laser beam never touched the helicopter, and the scatter from the mirrors scanning the “tunnel’ was the same as what he decided to violate our clear airspace to approach in the first place. There weren’t any rules back then – but it seems the rules now were written by morons who equate laser with death ray… Wow, back in the bad old days a coworker of mine was annoyed by a police helicopter invading our “clear airspace” (set up in advance with the FAA) and shinning his million power search light on our set up for an outdoor laser event at Griffith Park. He shuttered the 20 watt Argon Laser (20,000 mW!) and climbed up and pointed a scanner at the helicopter. He then opened the shutter to project a “tunnel” around the helicopter – He shuttered it again as the pilot decided to leave the area. The “tunnel” effect is one that anyone familiar with sci-fi movies would recognize. The pilot radioed “officer in distress” and there were a lot of police “flying” up the hill. Yes, there was a law suit – the pilot lost – because he was violating our FAA clear airspace. BTW the laser beam never touched the helicopter, and the scatter from the mirrors scanning the “tunnel’ was the same as what he decided to violate our clear airspace to approach in the first place. There weren’t any rules back then – but it seems the rules now were written by morons who equate laser with death ray…

]]> By: The Unusual Suspect http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97403 The Unusual Suspect Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97403 Too bad we don't know whether the laser used was a high-powered version sold through a scientific supply house (like the one shown in the video), or the regular consumer version. If it was the former, it could have indeed dazzled a pilot, provided it was mounted on a tripod properly situated along the projected flight path so that it could target the 2 m^2 cockpit window of a jetliner travelling several hundred km per second. If it was the latter, well, what judge is going to know the difference? Too bad we don’t know whether the laser used was a high-powered version sold through a scientific supply house (like the one shown in the video), or the regular consumer version.

If it was the former, it could have indeed dazzled a pilot, provided it was mounted on a tripod properly situated along the projected flight path so that it could target the 2 m^2 cockpit window of a jetliner travelling several hundred km per second.

If it was the latter, well, what judge is going to know the difference?

]]> By: diluded000 http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97417 diluded000 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97417 Yawl sound like a bunch of Dudley Do-Rights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Do-Right). Why is it OK for the police to fly around and shine searchlights at the people, but if the people shine something back they go to jail? Couldn't a motorist be blinded by a police spotlight? Isn't the cumulative damage to society inflicted by the police spotlights greater than that inflicted by a single kid experimenting with the range of his new device? I'm just trying to throw out an opposing viewpoint and stir some thinking, please don't take up your time answering these questions point by point. Yawl sound like a bunch of Dudley Do-Rights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Do-Right). Why is it OK for the police to fly around and shine searchlights at the people, but if the people shine something back they go to jail? Couldn’t a motorist be blinded by a police spotlight? Isn’t the cumulative damage to society inflicted by the police spotlights greater than that inflicted by a single kid experimenting with the range of his new device?

I’m just trying to throw out an opposing viewpoint and stir some thinking, please don’t take up your time answering these questions point by point.

]]> By: Dan B. http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-97419 Dan B. Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-97419 A laser? Seriously? Where are these people celebrating Christmas, 2002? A laser? Seriously? Where are these people celebrating Christmas, 2002?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/12/27/teenager-in-ca-arres.html#comment-484238 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-484238 everyone is assuming that what they are being told is the truth, the truth of the matter is that countless #'s of these people are being falsely accused of TARGETING aircraft. In a majority of these cases, the lights are simply being aimed into the sky for a laser show effect. The problem is, when spotted by aircraft the light is reported, tracked & ground units are sent to have them arrested. Police helicopters are on the hunt for the lights regardless if they are targeted or not. It is law enforcements way of single handedly banning the lights since there is no law in effect yet. I strongly recommend no one ever point one up into the sky, period, or you,(like my son),will most likely be facing a felony of a misdemeanor, up to 2-3 years jail, &/or a $1,000.00 fine for TARGETTING an aircraft, when u were not. This is very serious & costly. Please tell anyone you know, not to play with these laser pens. It's not worth it! everyone is assuming that what they are being told is the truth, the truth of the matter is that countless #’s of these people are being falsely accused of TARGETING aircraft. In a majority of these cases, the lights are simply being aimed into the sky for a laser show effect. The problem is, when spotted by aircraft the light is reported, tracked & ground units are sent to have them arrested. Police helicopters are on the hunt for the lights regardless if they are targeted or not. It is law enforcements way of single handedly banning the lights since there is no law in effect yet. I strongly recommend no one ever point one up into the sky, period, or you,(like my son),will most likely be facing a felony of a misdemeanor, up to 2-3 years jail, &/or a $1,000.00 fine for TARGETTING an aircraft, when u were not. This is very serious & costly. Please tell anyone you know, not to play with these laser pens. It’s not worth it!

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