Crime & Safety

Officials: Don't Fly With Fireworks

Los Angeles Airport peace officers remind travelers that it's illegal to bring fireworks to airports and for lasers to interfere with air traffic.

As some Hermosa Beach residents pack for the airport and plan to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and laser shows, the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association has a warning for them: it's illegal to bring fireworks to the airport and point lasers at an aircraft.

"This may seem like common sense, but sometimes people just don’t think about it and they end up bringing what they consider to be 'safe' fireworks with them when they travel," said Marshall McClain, president of the peace officers' association, in a statement Tuesday. "Under no circumstances should any fireworks be brought to the airport, packed in a carry-on or in luggage."

He added that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a felony, and doing so can distract or even temporarily blind pilots.

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Pilots reported last year that they saw 2,836 laser strikes nationally, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Los Angeles International Airport recorded the highest number of laser events in the country for an individual airport with 102 reports:

Top five airports that saw most laser eventsNo. of laser events reported in 2010 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 102 Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) 98 Phoenix/Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) 80 San Jose International Airport (SJC) 80 McCarran International Airport (LAS) 72

(Source: Federal Aviation Administration)

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"This is a serious safety issue," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood when those numbers were released in January. "Lasers can distract and harm pilots who are working to get passengers safely to their destinations."

When flying, officials also remind travelers to check to confirm that their flights are departing on time and plan accordingly.

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