The Burbank Police Department (BPD) was recently made aware of several bird strikes involving both landing and departing airline flights at the Bob Hope Airport. (A bird strike is a collision between an airborne bird and an aircraft.) Bird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety.
Public safety personnel from the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority informed BPD officials that a local business owner, Mr. Charles Douglas, had continued to disperse bird seed in an alley and in parking areas near the Bob Hope Airport despite repeated warnings and citations. Officers had cited and advised Douglas several times since September, 2010, regarding the seriousness of this practice. Despite entreaties to Mr. Douglas regarding the potential risk of the flying public, he continued to feed hundreds of birds.
Bob Hope Airport Press Information Officer Victor Gill said, “It is very important to address situations like this, as there has been a significant increase in incidents of these air strikes in the last few months.” Southwest Airlines has sustained several recent bird strikes at the Bob Hope Airport. One recent departing flight struck birds after take-off, and had to abruptly land at Ontario Airport.
These situations were reminiscent of the famous 2009 bird strike incident involving US Airways flight 1549 that departed La Guardia Airport in New York. That flight sustained a bird strike that forced pilot Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger, to make an emergency landing into the Hudson River.
Today at approximately 10 AM, BPD officers arrested Mr. Douglas, age 59, at his place of employment in the 3000 block of Hollywood Way for 372 PC (Public Nuisance), 166(a)(4) PC (Violation of a court order), and 5-1-1108 BMC (Feeding of pigeons so as to create a public nuisance).
Mr. Douglas was admitted to bail following his booking for the above charges.
