Three people have been accused of shining green lasers at aircrafts in New Jersey and New York over the last few days. Two of the three have been charged: a 20-year-old from New York and a 26-year-old from New Jersey.

These events are the latest in a series of incidents known as "lasing" and have been investigated by the FAA and FBI. According to the FBI, there have been more than 5,300 incidents of lasing in the United States this year.

Mario, a helicopter instructor at Linden Airport, says it is something many pilots are worried about.

"Most helicopters only have one pilot, unlike airlines, so if that pilot is blinded that would create a very severe emergency situation," he says.

According to law enforcement officials nearly two dozen aircrafts in New York and New Jersey were hit by these lasers, including three news helicopters.

Keith Orpheus is a helicopter photographer with News 12 Networks. He and his pilot were not involved in Wednesday's incidents, but says they hit close to home.

"If my pilot gets disoriented I don't know how to fly the helicopter," he says. "If he gets disoriented and he starts losing vision, we're in trouble." 

Officials say not only those in the sky are at risk. Any threats to aircrafts could also potentially be a danger to those on the ground since many of these crafts fly over residential areas.

"You don't know where you're going to land that that point," says Orpheus.

Pointing lasers at aircrafts is a federal crime. Anyone prosecuted for the crime could be funded up to $11,000 and serve up to five years in prison.