A call for people to shine laser lights into the sky in South Portland, aimed at federal helicopters, is raising urgent safety alarms. This unusual initiative has prompted a leading trauma hospital to reroute its air ambulances.
Online flyers circulating on Rose City Counter Info, which presents itself as a Portland anarchist information platform, are encouraging participants to attend a “laser tag” event targeting federal aircraft. The post gives advice on how to avoid being identified, recommending masks, coordination with others, cleaning laser pointers, and even wearing gloves.
Due to these planned activities, several air ambulance services chose not to land at the rooftop helipad of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) the previous Saturday night. Instead, helicopters had to divert to a nearby airport, making transport via ground ambulance necessary, which could add 45 to 60 minutes to the overall travel time.
OHSU noted that while such delays might not be an issue for most patients, it could have severe consequences for those in critical conditions, like unstable trauma cases or stroke patients. The hospital stressed that the public should refrain from attending these laser events, deeming them “extremely dangerous.” They also clarified that the air ambulance vendor made the decision to reroute, not the hospital itself.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) highlighted the risks of shining lasers at aircraft, which is illegal under both state and federal law. They emphasized that they regularly arrest individuals for laser targeting of police planes, including one arrest made earlier in the week. Despite monitoring the ICE building, police said their presence was no greater than usual and reported no laser incidents that night.
In a statement, the Port of Portland confirmed an uptick in helicopter and propeller aircraft activity, linking it to federal law enforcement or military operations rather than something they control. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the calls to target aircraft with lasers, labeling them as serious threats to safety.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin directly criticized such activities, asserting that pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and poses dangers to flight crews and the public. Recent arrests in Portland further underscore the risks, particularly an incident involving individuals allegedly targeting a Customs and Border Protection helicopter.
Portland has remained a focal point for protests against federal immigration enforcement, with demonstrations continuing near ICE facilities. In some instances, protesters have even used dramatic props to symbolize their dissent against government actions.
On a related note, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek challenged the portrayal of chaos, expressing confidence in local law enforcement to manage the situation. He emphasized that there was no violence and looked forward to compliance from federal operations with state laws.
