Trail police are asking for help in identifying the person who is aiming a green laser pointer at motorists and pedestrians.
“On March 1, the Trail and Greater District RCMP Detachment responded to a call of someone shining a green laser pointer at the driver of a vehicle who was travelling on Columbia Avenue (in East Trail),” Sgt. Mike Wicentowich stated Monday. “The RCMP has received reports of this suspect shining a green laser pointer onto other motorists and members of the public,” he said.
“The laser light is believed to coming from somewhere on Topping Street or Daniel Street.”
While this may sound not-so-serious at first glance, that isn’t the case.
Laser pointers are regulated by the Government of Canada and subject to strict rules of use.
“It is dangerous to use a laser pointer in this manner,” Wicentowich said. “Lasers can cause irreparable damage to the eye if shined into it. The person responsible may face criminal consequences if they cause such harm or a motor vehicle accident due to this irresponsible use.”
Anyone with information on this matter is encouraged to contact the Trail and Greater District RCMP Detachment at (250) 364.2566 or Crime Stoppers at 1(800).222. 8477 if you wish to remain anonymous.
“Laser” is an acronym that stands for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” The light beam from a laser is a condensed source of light, usually in the form of a small narrow beam. A simple hand-held laser pointer can be more than a million times brighter than the average 100-watt light bulb.
newsroom@trailtimes.ca
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