FBI cracking down on lasers pointed at planes

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of anyone who aims a laser at an aircraft. There have been 32 reports of lasers being aimed at planes in Washington state so far this year, according to an FBI press release. Several of those were reported at the Spokane International Airport and Fairchild Air Force Base. Handheld lasers can temporarily blind a pilot or cause eye damage. The Federal Aviation Administration began tracking laser strikes in 2005. Since then, there has been more than a 1,000 percent increase in “lasing,” which is a felony, the press release said. Anyone with information about people pointing lasers at planes can call the Spokane FBI office at (509) 458-8100.