After a trial program, which was limited to 60 days and 12 FBI field offices, the FBI has expanded its lasing program nationwide to prevent debilitating injuries to pilots as a result of powerful handheld lasers directed toward aircraft. The program aims to limit these kinds of incidents by educating the public about the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft and by encouraging witnesses of these kinds of incidents to step forward through rewards of up to $10,000 for tips that lead to an arrest.
After the trial program was initiated, laser pointer incidents have dropped by 19 percent in the metropolitan areas where the program was introduced, the FBI said.
