Reward offered for info on people shining lasers at PDX airplanes

Port of Portland police and Crime Stoppers of Oregon are looking for the person or persons responsible for shining lasers on planes on approach to Portland International Airport multiple times this year.

Police have received 54 reports of lasers shining on airplanes since the start of the year, 3 more than in all of 2011, according to a Crime Stoppers news release. In all of the cases the laser hit aircraft on final approach at the airport. Many of the lasers came from east of the airport.

Lasers can cause permanent vision injury when viewed directly and can be hazardous during the final moments of an aircraft’s approach, according to Crime Stoppers.

People who illuminate an airplane in flight can be arrested and face civil penalties up to $11,000 per incident.

Police ask anyone who sees unusual green lasers at night near aircraft or anyone who has information leading to the suspects should to the Port of Portland dispatch center at 503-460-4441.

Crime Stoppers is offering an up to $1,000 reward for information reported to the organization that leads to an arrest in these cases. Tips can be left anonymously at the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 503-823-4357.