With Laser Precision, Teen Gets Arrested

Note to everyone tempted to go wild with a laser pointer: Don't - unless it's in a meeting or the privacy of your own living room. A Brooklyn teenager was arrested after shining a laser at a NYPD helicopter last night. And the pilot was momentarily blinded. The police chased Anthony Pepe through Dyker Park and finally caught up with the 19 year old, who was with some friends. Pepe was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon, as the police want to remind people lasers are dangerous. In January 2005, a NJ man was charged under the Patriot Act for lasering a plane and helicopter in December 2004.

So, keep that laser pointer in your pocket and remember, only cats and dogs should go crazy over a laser pointer.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on August 1, 2006 7:49 AM

Comments [rss]

just saying

I'm not condoning what this teen did, but that NYPD helicopter is damn annoying. For some reason they especially seem to like flying around southwest Brooklyn. I can see the NYPD helicopter from my apartment flying around in circles like they're on some kind of joy ride. And they occasionally fly too low over the higher buildings which is dangerous as well as ear-deafening. Sure, the cops are enamored with their helicopter, but it's a big expense paid by the taxpayers, and its effectiveness in crime fighting seems limited (except for maybe catching a teen shining a laser pointer at it).

Whatever happened to the local cop who made an effort to know the neighborhood as well as the people who lived there? Wouldn't being aware of what's going on around you be helpful in preventing and solving crime?