[AZ-Observing] Re: Instant criminals
- From: "Rotramel, Rick (AZ77)" <rick.rotramel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 16:23:47 -0700
Thad,
(Here's yesterdays article from the AZ Republic, it mentions aiming "in the
air":)
FBI finds no terror plot behind aircraft lasers
Kevin Johnson and Alsan Levin
USA Today
Jan. 3, 2005 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - A string of incidents around the country involving laser beams
aimed at aircraft aren't linked to terrorism and are more likely the work of
mischiefmakers, the FBI said Sunday.
The FBI attributed eight incidents in the past 10 days to pranks or
accidental acts that tagged aircraft in Ohio, Texas, Oregon and New Jersey.
Pilots reported that powerful laser beams had apparently been aimed at them
during takeoffs and landings.
Lasers have been a growing concern within the aviation community for years.
The Homeland Security Department in November issued a bulletin to law
enforcement agencies warning that terrorist groups overseas have expressed
an interest in lasers. advertisement
However, the bulletin said there is no intelligence indicating terrorists
intend to use lasers as weapons in this country, department spokeswoman Katy
Mynster said.
Potential witnesses were being questioned Sunday by the FBI in connection
with the latest laser flashing. A police helicopter investigating an earlier
incident near the Teterboro, N.J., airport was hit Friday evening by a beam
streaming from a Parsippany neighborhood.
No one has been arrested or charged. But the attorney for a Parsippany man
said her client was questioned extensively by the FBI.
Attorney Gina Mendola Longarzo said David Banach was playing with his
daughter on the deck of their home Friday evening when they waved a
hand-held laser pointer in the air.
Longarzo said Banach was aware that a helicopter was in the area, but he did
not think the beam was powerful enough to reach the helicopter. Within
minutes, Longarzo said, police and federal agents swarmed Banach's home.
"There is no connection to terrorism here," Longarzo said. "This is a man
who has never had a parking ticket."
FBI spokesman Stephen Kodak said the investigation was continuing and that
"several people" were being questioned. He said there is no evidence linking
the New Jersey incidents to terrorism.
-----Original Message-----
This article doesn't make any mention of "pointing out stars". I was hoping
to read the article that did....
Thad
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