Bill Gives Airport Police Power To Target People Pointing Lasers
LANSING (AP) - Police officers at Detroit Metro Airport could exercise their powers outside airport boundaries under legislation designed to combat laser strikes at planes.
The bill won unanimous Senate approval Thursday and was sent to the House for consideration.
The measure aims to address people pointing lasers at planes that are taking off or landing and the proliferation of drones near airports.
The lasers often are used off airport property but directed at planes while in protected airspace. The beams can fill cockpits with green light and temporarily blind pilots or blur their vision.
Supporters say airport police need help catching violators.
The House Fiscal Agency says the Federal Aviation Agency recorded 33 laser strikes at Detroit Metro in 2014 and 36 through mid-October of 2015.
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