TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Amid the ongoing heat wave, city firefighters fought a two-alarm blaze involving several homes in the 400 block of Elmer Street, near Chestnut Avenue, Sunday evening (June 23, 2024).
The fire was reported about 6:35 p.m. It was declared under control an hour later.
Among those who fought the blaze were several “probationary” (rookie) firefighters working their first shift since completing their fire academy training.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Red Cross was contacted to assist several residents displaced by the fire.
TRENTON – The New Jersey Clean Communities Council (NJCCC), in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is announcing the middle school and high school winners of an annual video contest to promote awareness about how single-use plastics harm the environment.
The “Reduce Single Use” video contest, for students in grades 7-12, encouraged greater understanding of the state’s single-use plastics law, which went into effect in May 2022. The winning videos appear on the LitterFreeNJ.com website and will be featured at the Garden State Film Festival in March, at theaters in Cranford and Asbury Park.
“The DEP and I are proud that New Jersey students are promoting a very important message about the harm of single-use plastics to our environment,” Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Our partnership with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council on this contest further advances and instills in young people a lasting commitment to reduce the use of plastics in the same way that their parents and grandparents learned the value of recycling as a result of New Jersey’s first-in-the-nation recycling law.”
The contest challenged middle and high school students to create an original public service announcement (PSA) video to promote awareness of how single-use plastics contribute to litter and marine debris, harm the environment, or negatively impact marine wildlife. Students were encouraged to focus on plastic bags, polystyrene, or straws.
In their videos, students cleverly addressed how to reduce single use plastics (plastic bottles/cups, plasticware, etc.), showcased innovative ways people are complying with New Jersey’s plastic bag restriction law, or suggested what next steps the state should undertake to reduce plastic litter.
“New Jersey’s nation-leading single-use plastics law has very been effective in preventing billions of bags from the supermarket sector alone from entering the waste stream or environment,” Commissioner LaTourette added. “We also see far fewer foam containers and plastic straws during litter cleanups. All of this means cleaner communities and a healthier environment. The DEP and I thank the New Jersey Clean Communities Council for being a critical partner with us in educating the public and helping residents adapt to this change.”
Winning videos may be offered for broadcast to New Jersey television and cable stations. They may also be used as part of public forums hosted by the NJCCC and DEP and posted to social media.
“What the teens have submitted brings me to tears,” NJCCC Executive Director JoAnn Gemenden said. “They are so clever, so committed and so deserving to be winners. I love their enthusiasm. And I often watch their videos to further reaffirm our commitment to fight litter, every day of every year.”
The contest had two age categories, grades 7-9 and grades 10-12. Winners were awarded in first, second, and third place.
For the first category, all the winners are in eighth grade. They are:
William Andrews Burns LLC (WAB) and its owner, William O’Hanlon, operated a telemarketing scheme that preyed on timeshare owners, many of whom were elderly, and many of whom had been previously victimized by other scams.
“These defendants took advantage of consumers – many of them senior citizens – by taking their money in exchange for what turned out to be empty promises,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin.
May 26, 2022
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER) – Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced today that a lawsuit by the State has resulted in a New Jersey-based timeshare rental and resale services company and its owner being ordered to pay over $10 million – including $9.32 million in civil penalties – and being permanently barred from doing business in New Jersey.
In a five-count lawsuit filed in Essex County Superior Court last November, the State alleged that William Andrews Burns LLC (WAB) and its owner, William O’Hanlon, operated a telemarketing scheme that preyed on timeshare owners, many of whom were elderly, and many of whom had been previously victimized by other scams.
Specifically, the State’s lawsuit alleged, WAB cold-called timeshare owners and used high-pressure sales tactics and misrepresentations to persuade them to pay WAB large upfront fees in exchange for WAB’s offer to rent or resell their timeshares. The advance fees ranged from $594 to $2,899, and were typically deducted directly from consumers’ bank accounts.
The State’s complaint alleged that WAB touted a “Money Back Guarantee,” and assured consumers there was virtually no risk in signing up for its services.
Among other things, the defendants guaranteed owners they would receive thousands of dollars in rental income for each week WAB rented out their timeshares for them, and promised to refund their advance payments within 180 days if WAB failed to deliver. However, the complaint noted, the State was unable to identify a single timeshare owner who received rental or sale income after signing on with WAB, and most refunds never materialized.
“These defendants took advantage of consumers – many of them senior citizens – by taking their money in exchange for what turned out to be empty promises,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “In New Jersey, we have strong laws against this kind of predatory conduct, and we are committed to using them to hold dishonest companies and individuals accountable.”
“Many timeshare owners end up stuck with significant, long-term financial burdens that were not disclosed to them when they signed up,” said Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Cari Fais. “These defendants are being held accountable for exploiting an already vulnerable group of consumers – many of them elderly – by promising help that was never provided. We are committed to protecting New Jersey consumers from such devious conduct, and to imposing strong penalties on unscrupulous businesses that engage in such tactics.”
The State began its investigation after reviewing more than 50 consumer complaints about WAB.
The investigation revealed more than 100 complaints from consumers around the U.S. — including some from elderly consumers who did not even own timeshares. (In one instance, the company collected $2,865 from a 94-year-old consumer to rent a timeshare the consumer no longer owned, and on another occasion convinced an elderly consumer who had never owned a timeshare to pay $1,999 for rental services.)
In addition to its other allegations, the State’s complaint alleged that WAB offered unwanted collection services to consumers who had purchased its offered rental or resale services—without disclosing that such services involved an additional fee.
As part of these collection services, the defendants promised to recover money for consumers from companies that had operated other timeshare-related scams. Instead, WAB tried to pocket chargebacks from consumers’ credit card companies by fraudulently posing as a friend of the consumer – a friend ostensibly helping the consumer review past statements and obtain reimbursement for alleged unauthorized credit card transactions.
The State’s complaint alleged WAB and O’Hanlon violated the Consumer Fraud Act and state advertising regulations by engaging in unlawful conduct that included:
representing on phone calls to consumers that WAB would rent or sell the timeshares and provide that income to the consumers, when such was not the case;
withdrawing funds from consumer bank accounts without authorization to do so; and
advertising in emails, text messages, and telemarketing calls a money back guarantee, but then refusing to provide requested refunds when they failed to rent or resale consumers’ timeshares.
In addition to monetary relief totaling more than $10 million, the relief secured in the default judgment includes, among other things:
A finding that the acts and practices of WAB and O’Hanlon constitute multiple instances of unlawful practices in violation of the Consumer Fraud Act and Advertising Regulations.
A finding that O’Hanlon is personally liable for WAB’s violations.
A permanent injunction against WAB and O’Hanlon from owning, operating or otherwise managing any business or other entity in the State that advertises, offers for sale, sells, and/or performs rental and sales assistance services for timeshare owners (“rental services”), and/or services to collect or recover money for consumers who allegedly lost money in previous scams (“collection services”).
A permanent injunction against WAB and O’Hanlon from advertising, offering for sale, selling, or performing such rental services and/or collection services within the State of New Jersey.
An order permanently canceling WAB’s certificate of formation in the State of New Jersey.
Deputy Attorneys General Monica E. Finke, Stephanie M. Asous and Erica Salerno of the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section within the Division of Law’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group represented the State in the matter. Investigator Walter Kaminski of the Office of Consumer Protection within the Division of Consumer Affairs conducted the investigation.
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The mission of the Division of Consumer Affairs within the Department of Law and Public Safety is to protect the public from fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and professional misconduct in the sale of goods and services in New Jersey through education, advocacy, regulation and enforcement. The Division pursues its mission through its 51 professional and occupational boards that oversee 720,000 licensees in the state, its Regulated Business section that oversees 60,000 NJ registered businesses, as well as through its Office of Consumer Protection, Bureau of Securities, Charities Registration section, Office of Weights and Measures, and Legalized Games of Chance section.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly says that their storm damage assessment has confirmed an EF-0 landspout tornado occurred in Lawrence Township, Mercer County, NJ on Friday evening, June 14, 2024. The landspout downed several trees and flipped over a few vehicles in a post office parking lot.
A landspout is a tornado with a narrow, rope-like condensation funnel that forms while the thunderstorm cloud is still growing and there is no rotating updraft – the spinning motion originates near the ground, according to the National Weather Service,
End Date: 06/14/2024End Time: 06:00 PM EDTEnd Location: 3 SSE Lawrenceville / Mercer County / NJ
End Lat/Lon: 40.2619 / -74.7227
Survey Summary:An EF-0 strength landspout tornado occurred in Lawrence Townshipin Mercer County. The landspout began near the Marwa ServiceCenter and Conoco gas station near the intersection of JohnsonRoad and US Route 1 Business (Brunswick Avenue), where a few treeswere uprooted and some softwood trees were snapped. A couple treesfell on the service station, causing some collateral damage. Thegas station canopy was not damaged, but a large sign behind thebuilding was snapped. Two large clothes donation bins were tossedinto a brushy area. Surveillance footage from the service centershowed a distinct convergent nature and shift to the winds as the
damage occurred.
The landspout then moved northeast into a small wooded area before emerging into a post office parking lot. About a half dozenvehicles were flipped over in the parking lot, and a few parking lot signs were blown over or lofted and carried about 250 yards away across the highway. The post office building sustained some minor structural damage, including uplift of some metal roofing material. An HVAC unit was blown off of the roof of the building. A large tree was uprooted at the front of the building and a few other trees had several limbs blown down. Cell phone footage takenfrom across the highway at the Auto Lenders property showed a distinct circulation as the damage was occurring, lofting debris vertically. The landspout then dissipated after impacting the post
office property and no additional damage was observed downstream.
The Fortis Institute building across the highway off of Magnetic Drive had 3 HVAC units displaced on the roof as well as an array of solar panels damaged. This was determined to have been caused by straight line winds and was not associated with the landspout
across the highway.
The National Weather Service would like to thank the New Jersey State Police, Lawrence Township Police, Mercer County Office of Emergency Management, and United States Postal Service at Circle
Branch for their assistance with this survey.
&&
EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:
EF0…..65 to 85 mphEF1…..86 to 110 mphEF2…..111 to 135 mphEF3…..136 to 165 mphEF4…..166 to 200 mph
10:00 a.m. UPDATE: According New Jersey State Police, Troopers responded to a two vehicle crash at 12:17 a.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike northbound on the inner roadway at milepost 54.1, Bordentown, Burlington County. Preliminary investigation reveals that a silver Acura RDX and a silver Toyota 4 Runner were traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike northbound inner roadway when the Acura struck the rear of the Toyota. The Toyota struck a guardrail and came to an uncontrolled final rest on the northbound outer lane of travel. As a result of the crash, the passenger of the Toyota was ejected, sustaining life threatening injuries and transported to Cooper Hospital for treatment. This is an active investigation.
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Around 12:15 a.m. the Robbinsville Township Fire Department, Bordentown Township Fire Department, Burlington EMS, Robbinsville EMS and Paramedics were dispatched to mile marker 54.2 north bound inner roadway for a serious accident. There were several reports of an overturned vehicle with at least two people ejected and CPR in progress. A medical helicopter from Jefferson University Hospital known as JeffSTAT-1 was called and the New Jersey State Police closed the Turnpike to land the helicopter to transport one person by air to the trauma center.
The helicopter landed at 1:00 a.m. on the Turnpike and will transport one person to the trauma center by air. Robbinsville EMS along with Burlington Paramedics transported an injured person to the Trauma Center at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton at 1:00 a.m. and called a “Trauma Alert”
The JeffSTAT-1 helicopter left the scene at 1:11 a.m. and was taking one person to the Trauma Center at Cooper Medical Center in Camden.
Two injured parties did not seek transport to the hospital.
Avoid the NJ Turnpike in the area of Exit 7 due to this crash. There is a 1 to 2 mile delay northbound prior to the accident scene.
As of 1:30 a.m. a 3 mile delay exists
This is a breaking news report check back the story will be updated as details come in.
Crash with Injuries on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7 – US 206 (Bordentown Twp) 2 Right lanes of 3 lanes blocked https://t.co/gUMUo7Io1l
— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) December 10, 2021
Crash with Injuries on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7 – US 206 (Bordentown Twp) 2 Right lanes of 3 lanes blocked https://t.co/d6ThcLvSjK
— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) December 10, 2021
Delays on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound North of Interchange 6 – Pennsylvania Turnpike (Mansfield Twp) to North of Interchange 7 – US 206 (Bordentown Twp) 1-2 miles delay https://t.co/q3d5uDb2ik
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH) – A Wall Township man was arrested and criminally charged in connection with an armed robbery in the same town, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.
Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 50, was charged with one count of first-degree Armed Robbery, one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and one count of fourth-degree Possession of Hollow Point Bullets.
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at approximately 3:24 p.m., officers from the Wall Township Police Department were dispatched to a Bank of America branch located on State Highway 35 for a reported robbery. Upon arrival, law enforcement officials learned that a man wearing a mask, glasses, ball cap, black hoodie and gloves had entered the bank, brandished a firearm and stole a large amount of cash, in excess of $5,000, prior to fleeing the scene.
An off-duty Wall Township police officer was driving in the vicinity of the bank when he learned of the robbery. As the officer proceeded towards the location, he observed a male matching the description of the suspect riding a bicycle. The officer followed the suspect, later identified as Kniffin, to the front of Kniffin’s residence on M Street, where he would ultimately be apprehended.
Kniffin was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI), where he is currently being held pending his first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Luciano of the Major Crimes Bureau. Information regarding Kniffin’s legal representation was not immediately available.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
FREEHOLD – A Wall Township man has been charged with murder as a result of an attack on his girlfriend in an apartment complex parking lot late last week, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Sunday.
Alex J. Williams, 24, was charged with one count of first-degree Murder after the victim passed away as a result of her injuries on Thursday May 30, 2024.
On Thursday May 23, at approximately 9:22 a.m., members of the Wall Township Police Department responded to the parking lot of the Glen Oaks Apartment Complex. Upon arrival, officers found a female victim suffering from multiple significant injuries.
An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Bureau and the Wall Township Police Department revealed that Williams repeatedly physically assaulted the victim with a machete, causing the injuries.
Williams had previously been charged with first-degree Attempted Murder, one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of third-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (machete). The Endangering charge stems from the victim’s child being in the general proximity at the time of the attack.
Williams was arrested without incident and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a detention hearing tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 7 at 9 a.m. in Monmouth County Superior Court before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Cummings of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau. Williams is being represented by Anthony C. Aldorasi, Esq., with an office in Freehold.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
June 2, 2024
OLD BRIDGE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas J. Montagna of the Old Bridge Police Department announced today that a fatal crash is under investigation.
Today, June 2, 2024, at approximately 1:05 A.M., authorities responded to the area of Route 9 and Ferry Road in Old Bridge following a report of a fatal collision. Upon arrival, authorities located several vehicles that were involved in a serious crash. One of the vehicles was a Ford Mustang with four occupants, all of whom were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for treatment and are all in stable condition. Another vehicle involved was a BMW its driver was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition. The passenger of the BMW Kristina Godich, 31, of Manalapan, was pronounced deceased at the scene. All other drivers and occupants that were involved in the crash were treated at the scene and released.
Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Steve Connolly of the Old Bridge Police Department at 732-721-5600 ext. 3820 or Detective Matthew Colonna of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3354.
June 2, 2024
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Joseph Battaglia of the North Brunswick Police Department announced today that a Kendall Park man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred on North Oaks Boulevard in the township of North Brunswick.
On June 1, 2024, at approximately 10:38 P.M., North Brunswick Police Department received a 911 call reporting a gun shot victim. Upon their arrival, to the residence on North Oaks Boulevard authorities located Mark Song, 24, of Kendall Park, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Initial investigation led by Detective Errol McCalla of the North Brunswick Police Department and Detective Jose Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Saad Salahie, 24, of Kendall Park, was the perpetrator. Salahie knew the victim, preliminary investigation indicates that this was an accidental shooting.
On June 2, 2024, Salahie was arrested without incident and charged with second-degree Reckless Manslaughter and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage is asked to contact Detective McCalla of the North Brunswick Police Department at 732-247- 0922 ext. 311 or Detective Rosario of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732 745-3289.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Salahie are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on September 6, 2024 at approximately 9:19 p.m., a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by a 56-year-old female from Hamilton, was traveling eastbound on Nottingham Way near Klockner Rd. The driver proceeded through the intersection, when she struck a 65-year-old male pedestrian from Hamilton, who was walking southbound across Nottingham Way. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The names of all involved parties have been withheld pending notification to family members.
Assistance at the scene was provided by the Hamilton Township Fire Division, Emergency Medical Services, and the Hamilton Township Road Department.
The crash is being investigated by Officers F. LaVacca and D. Hendricksen of the Hamilton Township Traffic Unit. Any witnesses to this collision are asked to contact the police non-emergency number at (609)581-4000.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–A Mercer County, New Jersey, man was convicted of carjacking, brandishing a firearm during the carjacking, two attempted carjackings resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Cedrick Hodges, 40, of Trenton, New Jersey, was convicted on Oct. 24, 2023, of all five counts of a second superseding indictment following a seven-day trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On the evening of Dec. 16, 2017, Hodges entered the rear passenger seat of a Toyota Camry and pointed a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the driver, demanding that she operate the vehicle while Hodges entered the rear seat. The driver exited the vehicle and ran, in response to which Hodges discharged the shotgun towards her as she fled.
Moments later, Hodges approached a Honda Accord occupied by a driver and one passenger. Hodges pointed the shotgun at the driver’s window demanding that the driver and passenger exit the vehicle. When the driver refused, and instead began to drive the vehicle away from Hodges, Hodges discharged the firearm into the driver’s side window, striking the driver in his torso, causing permanent and serious bodily injury.
Hodges fled the area and several minutes later approached a man who was entering a Nissan Rogue. Hodges demanded that the man hand Hodges the keys to the Nissan Rogue. When the man refused, Hodges brandished the shotgun and discharged the firearm at the man, causing permanent and serious bodily injury.
The count of carjacking carries a maximum potential sentence of 15 years in prison. The counts of attempted carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury each carry a maximum potential sentence of 25 years in prison. The count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed on any other charges. The possession of firearm by a convicted felon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney; the Hamilton Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Kenneth R. DeBoskey; the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan; the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri, the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, with the investigation leading to the guilty verdict.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Suggs and Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.
23-313
Defense counsel: Henry E. Klingeman Esq. and Ernesto Cerimele Esq., Morristown, New Jersey
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey now has a song dealing with all the recent drone sightings. The New Jersey Drone Song has been released by YouTube user Toon Trap today and has been posted to YouTube today. Check it out below:
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Several radio reports have been recived over the past few nights that some people have been pointing lasers at aircraft thoughout New Jersey. It appears that this increase in laser pointing is due to the recent hightened awareness of possible drone activity. The majority of lights in the sky many people have reported are actually commerical, millitary and private aircraft and not drones. The lasers are powerful enough to interfear with crewmembers trying to fly planes. Even if you think it is a drone do not point a laser at the craft since more than likley it is a manned aircraft and not a drone.
Think about it you would not want to be on board a plane with 200 of your fellow passengers when your pilot is blinded due to someone on the ground pointing a laser at it.
The crime is punishable by a fine up to $250,000 and five years’ imprisonment.
Laser strikes on aircraft are dangerous and could temporarily blind a pilot, putting them, their passengers and people below in danger.
If you are using lasers for your holiday light display make sure they are not pointing in the air where they could hit an aircraft.
On February 14, 2012, the President signed Public Law 112-95 (PDF), the “FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.” Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 2, § 39, by adding § 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to be aware and track an increasing number of unauthorized laser illumination incidents nationwide. Shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime that the U.S. vigorously pursues, as it distract pilots from their safety duties and can lead to temporary blindness during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. In some cases, pilots have reported eye injuries that required medical treatment. The FAA retains the responsibility for enforcing FAA regulations, including those applicable to laser illumination incidents. The agency recognizes that state and local Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) are often in the best position to deter, detect, immediately investigate and, as appropriate, pursue law enforcement actions to stop unauthorized laser strikes. The information provided below is intended to support the partnership between the FAA and LEAs in addressing these activities.
On June 1, 2011, the FAA issued an interpretation of 14 CFR § 91.11. This regulation provides that “no person may assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember’s duties aboard an aircraft being operated.” Lasers directed at aircraft have the potential to adversely affect safety by interfering with flight crewmembers in the performance of their duties. The FAA considers a situation in which a laser beam is aimed at an aircraft, by a person on the ground or from any other location including from another aircraft, as an interference with a crewmember in the performance of the their duties and a violation of 14 CFR § 91.11. On February 14, 2012, the President signed Public Law 112-95, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Section 311 amended Title 18 of the United States Code, Chapter 2, by adding § 39A, which makes it a federal crime to aim a laser pointer at an aircraft. The crime is punishable by a fine up to $250,000 and five years’ imprisonment. The FAA received 9723 laser incident reports for the 2021 calendar-year. This represents an increase of 39% over 2020.
LE Guidance for Laser updated on 3-1-22Download
LAW ENFORCEMENT GUIDANCE FOR IDENTIFYING AND REPORTING UNAUTHORIZED LASER ILLUMINATION INCIDENTS AGAINST AIRCRAFT
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