Deputies: Florida man pointed laser at sheriff’s helicopter during state of emergency after Ian

Local10.com ^ | October 6, 2022 | WPLG Local10.com

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

NOKOMIS, Fla. – A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly shined a laser at a Sarasota County Sheriff’s office helicopter.

Deputies said Nick Davidson, 44, pointed the green laser at the chopper on Tuesday, while pilots were responding to a fire.

The Sarasota Sheriff’s office said Davidson’s actions could not have come at a worse time because the area was under a state of emergency after Hurricane Ian. Deputies were busy assessing damage and guiding ground units around potential hazards.

“Not only are Davidson’s actions dangerous, but they have the potential to flash blind and cause long-term damage to the visual capabilities of our pilots,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post.

[wally_bert]

I learned that from a CHiPs episode.

[subterfuge]

The lasers that have visible light won’t blind anyone at that distance. Still dangerous though when you’re flying a chopper.

[subterfuge]

Nope. Green lasers won’t blind you.

[subterfuge]

What is stupid is the idiot with the laser is shining a bright light that leads directly to him! How dumb is that.?

[Yo-Yo]

Nope. Green lasers won’t blind you.

The correct answer is 'depends.'

It depends on the class of laser. it depends on the duration of exposure. And it depends if you mean temporary blindness, which for a pilot is still potentially fatal, or permanent blindness, which is harder to accomplish.

The green laser pointers you buy at Office Depot won't blind you unless you deliberately stare into them for long periods, but there are some very high power (and illegal) lasers you can buy online.

Green Lasers are the weapon of chice of both Antifa and other protesters around the world.

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/11/photos-lasers-discontent/602263/

[RedMonqey]

That’s what I was thinking. Get the chopper’s attention. But evidently he’s just being an ass.

[Paperpusher]

Isn’t this a Federal crime?

Evidently, Everywhere except Portland if you are Antifa.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/07/25/federal-officers-in-portland-may-have-permanent-eye-damage-after-protesters-shine-lasers-in-their-faces/

[subterfuge]

All true. But it’s impossible to look into a a laser output for more than a microsecond. Our eyes just can’t do it.

[frank ballenger]

Pencil necked geek with a blank expression that reveals his brain power:
Nick Davison

https://www.local10.com/news/florida/2022/10/06/deputies-florida-man-pointed-laser-at-sheriffs-helicopter-during-state-of-emergency-after-ian/

[wgmalabama]

I saw lasers being used on the POPO during the BLM peaceful protests like crazy.

[muir_redwoods]

What’s the lift for this stupid act? What’s the thrill? I’ve read about this before and I just don’t get it.

[Presbyterian Reporter]

“””Let me see if I get this straight. If someone points a laser at officer that might affect THEIR eyesight, the officers junp on it. However, if someone riots causing damage and assaulting the general public, then you fellas are short-handed. Right. Understand.”””

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In Florida neither action is allowed. Your comment might apply to the LEFTIST States like New York, Illinois, or Calif, to name a few.

[Not_Who_U_Think]

What’s the thrill?

I can’t imagine what the thrill could be. and he had have to known it was illegal. Besides, as someone else said, it points right back to you!

You can by a fairly high-power laser from China, of course. But other than mischief and trying to crash a helicopter, what’s the fun?

[Revel]

Without know the power output of this lazer and if was even powerful enough to actually blind anyone’s view then this could just be another case of legal abuse. What I want to know was if the guy was intentionally trying to blind someone with a laser that was capable of doing so.

[TheGunny]

I hadn’t heard about rioting in Sarasota??

[Glad2bnuts]

Someone point me to a case of blindness from a laser pointer?

[Squantos]

https://www.greatlandlaser.com/rescue-laser-light-signaling-device/

[TheGunny]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5754573/