A call for people to shine laser lights into the sky to disrupt federal helicopters in South Portland has sparked significant safety worries, leading a major trauma hospital to reroute its air ambulances.
An online flyer from Rose City Counter Info, which brands itself as an “anarchist counter-information platform,” invites individuals to join a “laser tag” event targeting federal aircraft. The message includes suggestions on how to avoid being identified, encouraging participants to wear masks, coordinate with others, clean laser pointers with alcohol, use gloves, and eliminate DNA evidence before disposal.
Due to this planned activity, multiple air ambulance services chose not to land at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) on Saturday night. Instead, helicopters had to be redirected to a nearby airport, necessitating ground transportation for patients, which can add 45 to 60 minutes to travel time.
OHSU noted that while this delay might be acceptable for many patients, it can be critical for those in delicate conditions such as unstable trauma cases, STEMI, and strokes. The hospital advised staff to factor in this additional travel time when making decisions and strongly recommended the public refrain from attending these laser events, labeling them as “extremely dangerous.”
The hospital later clarified that the decision to divert the aircraft rested with the air ambulance vendor, not the hospital itself.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) reinforced that shining lasers at aircraft poses a danger to both pilots and those on the ground, and it is illegal under state and federal law. They mentioned that arrests have been made for targeting police aircraft with lasers, including one person apprehended earlier that week. The police acknowledged monitoring the ICE facility on Saturday but stated their presence was typical and reported no laser incidents that night.
The Port of Portland, which manages general aviation in the area, confirmed increased activity from helicopters and propeller planes, attributing it to federal law enforcement or military operations beyond their control.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the call for laser targeting of aircraft, affirming that it constitutes a federal crime. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized the severe implications of such actions, asserting that they pose serious risks to air safety and public security.
Earlier this week, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited a Portland ICE facility to offer prayers with officials amidst ongoing unrest.
Contrarily, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek contested the idea of widespread chaos, stating, “There is no violence,” and expressed confidence in local law enforcement’s ability to manage the situation. He also reiterated the expectation that federal actions comply with state laws, aligning himself with other Democratic governors who oppose the expansion of federal enforcement under the Trump administration.
Outreach for comments has been made to OHSU.
