Pilots Facing More Danger from Lasers

MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - Maryland officials say law enforcement and commercial pilots are facing more danger from blinding lasers from the ground.

Maryland State police and Baltimore city and county police officials are gathering Martin State Police on Wednesday to discuss actions they'll take to identify and prosecute people who target pilots with laser pointers.

State police spokesman Greg Shipley says people may not realize how dangerous it is for pilots when lasers are shined in their eyes.

Police say the threat is growing. A state police medevac helicopter crew was recently targeted with a laser pointer while trying to land in Ocean City to pick up a trauma patient. Baltimore County Police recently charged a person with reckless endangerment for shining a laser at a helicopter.