A Florida man is accused of shining a laser at a sheriff’s office helicopter while deputies were responding to a fire in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, authorities said.
Nick Davidson, 44, of Nokomis, was arrested Tuesday and charged with pointing a laser light at a driver or pilot, according to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.
According to the sheriff’s office, the helicopter was assisting crews in the area that were responding to a fire at about 9:45 p.m. EDT when a green laser light was shined on the pilot.
The area was under a state of emergency in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, with deputies assisting in assessing damage and guiding units away from potential hazards in west-central Florida.
“There is never an appropriate time to shine a laser at a helicopter but doing so under a declared state of emergency is just in bad taste,” the sheriff’s office tweeted.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. The glare from the laser, particularly at higher power levels, can cause temporary blindness to pilots.
Davidson was released from jail after posting $1,500 bail on Wednesday, online records show. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 18.
The lasers are out of control lately, penalties need to be more severe.
ReplyDeleteAgree … Nick needs some real hard time.
DeleteHow about we do parole-reform? Why is it always in the direction of the left and weaker and weaker criminal laws? For the past 100 years, the price to be paid for committing crimes is becoming lower and lower. Why?
ReplyDeleteFull prisons and tax payer funding for humane incarceration balking at more money to build more prisons and the guards to secure them.
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