Southeast Division and Air 1 members were responding to an attempted B&E call in the Bonnie Doon area at approximately 3 a.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2017, when air crew members were repeatedly targeted by a blinding laser being pointed at them from the ground.
Southeast patrol officers were guided to a residence near 88 Street and 84 Avenue, where a female suspect was arrested.
“The Edmonton Police Service has zero tolerance for irresponsible behavior like this that seriously compromises the safety of our air crew, not to mention our citizens,” said Staff Sgt. Tom Bechthold, of the EPS Flight Operations Section. “Air 1 officers play a vital role in assisting our members on the ground in their daily efforts to keep our city safe.”
Sarah Schenker, 28, of Edmonton, was charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight" under the Federal Aeronautics Act.
The Edmonton Police Service has charged a 28-year-old woman with pointing a laser at EPS air crew members who were piloting Air 1 early Tuesday morning above a southeast neighbourhood.