PC 248 Shinning Light at Helicopter with Intent to Impair Operation | Fresno, Criminal Defense, Attorney
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.
Oddly, shinning a laser light or bright light at a helicopter or airplane has become common in the Fresno area. In 2015 a light shinned on a helicopter led to a response call from the Fresno Police Department, which crashed in route. It has been reported that certain high intensity laser lights may actually cause the glass on a plance or helicopter to shatter, thus endangering lives of people in the plane, helicopter, and below.