Lasers should never be pointed at aircraft, and individuals can be charged criminally and fined under the Canada Aeronautics Act for endangering the safety of the aircraft and creating a hazard to aviation.
The warning comes after two extreme laser incidents occurred within two days on opposite ends of the city.
At approximately 11:03 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2013, Air One was on active patrol in the Lewis Estates area of west Edmonton, when the flight crew was repeatedly struck by a laser from a house below. Air One was able to pinpoint the origin of the flash, and Southwest and West Division Patrol units responded to the address. Two youths, a 17-year-old male and a 15-year-old female, were arrested and charges are pending.
On Sept. 7, 2013, at approximately 11:43 p.m., Air One was on active patrol in the Castle Downs area in north Edmonton, when the flight crew was struck with a laser beam for several minutes. Air One was able to coordinate with Northeast Division Patrol units to send officers to the laser beam’s origin near Castle Downs Park. Three adult males, 18, 19 and 20-years-old, were arrested. Each was charged with assault with a weapon, possession of an offensive weapon, mischief - actual danger to life, endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight, and creating a hazard to aviation safety.
In both instances, the flight crews were able to don their protective eyewear to prevent their eyes from being permanently damaged. EPS has had ten laser incidents in 2013, nine incidents in 2012, and four incidents in 2011, but thankfully flight crews have not suffered any loss of vision.
“Lasers can damage eyes quite quickly, so this poses a major risk to our flight crew and to the public as well,” says Acting Staff Sgt. Troy Carriere with the EPS Flight Operations and Canine Unit. “If crew members lose their vision and become disoriented, it can pose a risk if the helicopter is forced to land. It also becomes an Occupational Health and Safety issue if the crew members lose their sight permanently, and we lose a trained pilot or tactical flight officer from the service.”
Police believe that these types of incidents are the result of senseless actions and the widespread availability of laser devices on presentation pointers, tools, and weapons.
Anyone with information regarding a laser strike on an aircraft is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.