FBI Aims to Stop Laser Attacks at Aircrafts

If $10,000 sounds nice, you might want to hear what the FBI is offering.

The FBI and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is seeking your help with identifying individuals who aim lasers at aircrafts.

The FBI is awarding up to $10,000 within the next 90 days to anyone that can provide information leading to the arrest of a person who points a laser at an aircraft.

Thousands of laser strikes against law enforcement aircrafts, media helicopters, medical evacuations and rescure aircrafts each year.

From 2005 to 2013, the intentional aim lasers at aircrafts has increased by more than 1,100 percent. This presents a danger to pilots blinded by the laser, as well as to passengers and those on the ground.

The striking increase in laser prevalence influenced the FBI to create a compelling video that raises awareness about this federal crime and a financial award for assisting in the arrest of such a criminal.

The primary metropolitan areas of the 12 FBI offices participating in the program have reported a 19 percent decrease in the amount of laser incidents.

However, not all cities can attest to the same success. Such occurrences have increased by 14 percent over the past year at Newark Liberty Airport.

"We hope to build on our success through this national campaign in an effort to reduce the overall threat," said Joseph Campbell, Assistant Director of the FBI's Criminal Investigation Division.

The FBI plans to work with the Federal Aviation Administration and several other sources to continue to educate people of how dangerous this is.

"The Laser Threat Awareness Campaign has resulted in an overall reduction of incidents, and we look forward to continuing to work with the FBI to bring the reach of these efforts," said Captain Lee Moak, International President of the Air Line Pilots Association.

If you have information about a lasing incident or see anyone pointing a laser at an aircraft, call your local FBI field office or dial 911.