Officials in Ocean City, Md.: Laser pointers a problem
By BRIAN SHANE
The Daily Times of Salisbury
Updated: 07/21/2010 07:14:59 PM EDT
OCEAN CITY, Md. -- Laser pointers are more likely found in the boardroom than the Boardwalk, but this summer they're selling so quickly that beach retailers can't keep up with demand.
Resort officials and police, however, say the green laser pointers, more powerful than their red-hued predecessors, are becoming a public safety problem.
"This year, it is out of control," said Police Chief Bernadette DiPino. "The Boardwalk is just inundated with these green lasers."
The Town Council recently made provisions to make laser buyers aware of the rules surrounding their purchase, requiring retailers to post signs clearly stating the town's law and give a verbal reminder.
The issue is not new to the resort. In July 1998, in an emergency measure, the Ocean City Council banned any harassing or annoying shining of laser pointers on a person.
Less than a year later, when state lawmakers were on their way to passing an identical ban, DiPino testified in Annapolis by shining, side-by-side, a regular laser pointer on the wall alongside a handgun sight.
"I said, 'Can you tell the difference?' That was enough," said DiPino, who keeps in her office the pen used to sign that bill into law.
Recorded abuse of laser pointers has increased with their availability in the last several years, according to a 2001 Federal Aviation Administration report.
Richard Drake, 29, of Ocean City can attest to the danger. Last summer, he suffered serious damage
to his left eye after having a red laser shone purposefully in his face. Now he sees everything with a pinkish hue. His eye doctor said it will gradually go away. Drake already wears glasses and has a condition that makes his eyes extra-sensitive to light.
He said he's been traumatized by the experience, doesn't like walking on the Boardwalk at night anymore and wants laser pointers banned from resort retailers.
"What is the purpose of them selling these at stores -- so they can shine them in people's faces?" he said. "Because that's the only reason I can think of. This is very personal to me. As long as the stores are selling it, it's going to be a problem."
From May through mid-July, resort police reported 15 incidents of people breaking the laser pointer law, with seven arrests.
DiPino led the way on one such arrest. On June 12, she spotted a green laser zipping across the chest of a person she'd stopped for allegedly drinking in public on the Boardwalk.
She found it was coming from inside a store, Tres Place, where clerk Elisabeth Mesfin was allegedly shining it onto passers-by. DiPino had Mesfin arrested and charged with prohibited use of a laser.
By BRIAN SHANE
The Daily Times of Salisbury
Updated: 07/21/2010 07:14:59 PM EDT
OCEAN CITY, Md. -- Laser pointers are more likely found in the boardroom than the Boardwalk, but this summer they're selling so quickly that beach retailers can't keep up with demand.
Resort officials and police, however, say the green laser pointers, more powerful than their red-hued predecessors, are becoming a public safety problem.
"This year, it is out of control," said Police Chief Bernadette DiPino. "The Boardwalk is just inundated with these green lasers."
The Town Council recently made provisions to make laser buyers aware of the rules surrounding their purchase, requiring retailers to post signs clearly stating the town's law and give a verbal reminder.
The issue is not new to the resort. In July 1998, in an emergency measure, the Ocean City Council banned any harassing or annoying shining of laser pointers on a person.
Less than a year later, when state lawmakers were on their way to passing an identical ban, DiPino testified in Annapolis by shining, side-by-side, a regular laser pointer on the wall alongside a handgun sight.
"I said, 'Can you tell the difference?' That was enough," said DiPino, who keeps in her office the pen used to sign that bill into law.
Recorded abuse of laser pointers has increased with their availability in the last several years, according to a 2001 Federal Aviation Administration report.
Richard Drake, 29, of Ocean City can attest to the danger. Last summer, he suffered serious damage
to his left eye after having a red laser shone purposefully in his face. Now he sees everything with a pinkish hue. His eye doctor said it will gradually go away. Drake already wears glasses and has a condition that makes his eyes extra-sensitive to light.
He said he's been traumatized by the experience, doesn't like walking on the Boardwalk at night anymore and wants laser pointers banned from resort retailers.
"What is the purpose of them selling these at stores -- so they can shine them in people's faces?" he said. "Because that's the only reason I can think of. This is very personal to me. As long as the stores are selling it, it's going to be a problem."
From May through mid-July, resort police reported 15 incidents of people breaking the laser pointer law, with seven arrests.
DiPino led the way on one such arrest. On June 12, she spotted a green laser zipping across the chest of a person she'd stopped for allegedly drinking in public on the Boardwalk.
She found it was coming from inside a store, Tres Place, where clerk Elisabeth Mesfin was allegedly shining it onto passers-by. DiPino had Mesfin arrested and charged with prohibited use of a laser.
