On August 17, 2014 at approximately 11:25 p.m. police were dispatched to attempt to locate the source of a laser beam that had been directed at landing aircraft at the Regina Airport.
Police spotted the light source and located five youths, three males and two females, on a building roof on the 4000 block of Robinson Street. One of the males was carrying a laser which was confiscated. At this time there are no charges, however the matter is ongoing.
Two hours later, at 2:28 a.m., August 18, 2014, police were dispatched to a second incident in which a laser coming from the north was pointed at a plane over the south area of Regina. This incident was unrelated to the previous one as arrests were already made and the source was from a different location. Canine members could not locate any suspects.
We would like to inform and remind the public it is a federal offence under the Aeronautics Act to aim a directed bright light source into the cockpit of an aircraft in flight as it creates a serious potential threat to aviation safety. It is illegal to point a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft in flight and, if convicted, the offender could face either, or both, of the following:
- $100,000 maximum fine under the Aeronautics Act
- Imprisonment of up to five years
Regina Airport Authority and the Regina Police Service ask that any incident where a laser or direct bright light source is pointed into the cockpit of an aircraft in flight, be reported immediately to the Regina Police Service at 777-6500.
