A comprehensive resource for safe and responsible laser use

US: Pointing lasers at Scientology cameras leads to Florida man's arrest

A Florida man was arrested March 22 2021 for aiming a laser pointer at security cameras on three Church of Scientology buildings in Clearwater Florida. Footage from the cameras showed the man pointing at the cameras on February 26 2021. Black dots on subsequent footage were allegedly due to the laser beam damaging the cameras' sensors.

Robert Harris, 76, was charged with one count of felony criminal mischief. According to police, the damage cost was $2,091 to a total of six cameras on the three buildings.

On February 2 2021 Harris began providing tours of Scientology's locations in Clearwater, which is the location for the spiritual headquarters of the church and for the largest single Church of Scientology. During the tour Harris would point out the various surveillance cameras on the Scientology buildings.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, after his arrest Harris said "he usually carries a laser in his pocket to point at things, especially the night sky. But he said he never intended to damage Scientology’s buildings and now wishes there were an easier way to resolve his felony charge. 'I’d be happy to pay for the damages and write a letter of apology.' "

From the Tampa Bay Times. More information on laser pointers' potential for damaging cameras is here.

US: "Criminal mischief" for Ohio man who aimed laser at neighbor's surveillance camera

A man in Barberton, Ohio was issued a court summons for criminal mischief on September 3 2013, for using a laser to damage a neighbor’s surveillance camera. On August 19 2013, the motion sensor on the camera was disabled by a laser beam that was pointed at it. On August 22, the neighbor showed police a video from the surveillance camera, identifying a suspect. Police talked with him and the man admitted aiming the laser at the camera. The case will be heard in Barberton Municipal Court.

From Ohio.com