You Have Got to be Kidding … Hoax Devices part of Turner Broadcasting Cartoon Network Ad Campaign (Updates)

The nine devices that shut down Boston, MA this morning and after noon turn out to be nothing more than an ad campaign by The Cartoon Network. WTF. What were these mental migits thinking? Please tell me heads will roll, people fired and Turner Broadcasting will be sent the bill for all the police manpower that was wasted today.

“It’s a hoax — and it’s not funny,” Gov. Deval Patrick said. All of the devices are magnetic lights which resemble a character on the show “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”, on Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network.

What kind of irresponsible fools do they have working at Turner Broadcasting? They put packages near subways, Interstates and bridges in a post 9–11 World. The City of Boston should be sending Turner Broadcasting a bill of fare.

BOSTON (AP) — Nine blinking electronic devices planted at bridges and other spots in Boston threw a scare into the city Wednesday in what turned out to be a marketing campaign for a late-night cable cartoon. At least one of the devices depicts a character giving the finger.

(Drudge, At least one of the devices depicts a character giving the finger.)

Statement from Turner Broadcasting:

“The “packages” in question are magnetic lights that pose no danger. They are part of an outdoor marketing campaign in 10 cities in support of Adult Swim’s animated television show Aqua Teen Hunger Force. They have been in place for two to three weeks in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Parent company Turner Broadcasting is in contact with local and federal enforcement on the exact locations of the billboards. We regret that they mistakenly thought to pose any danger.”

You fools!!! In a city in which airplanes flew from on 9–11, you would do such a stupid stunt. You wasted countless police, bomb and security officials time. “Mistakenly thought to pose any danger”?  What planet do you people live on? Where have you been since September 11, 2001? Well you got the publicity you wanted as ever cable network was discussing your publicity stunt. Now its time you should pay for all the wasted security time.

UPDATE I: Arrest Made After ‘Suspicious Packages’ Paralyzed Boston as Part of Cartoon Network Marketing Campaign

Boston police said Wednesday night that one person had been arrested, and authorities scheduled a news conference later in the evening to provide details. (Fox News)

UPDATE II: Peter Berdovsky, 27, was arrested on one felony charge of placing a hoax device

Peter Berdovsky, 27, of Arlington, was arrested on one felony charge of placing a hoax device and one charge of disorderly conduct, state Attorney General Martha Coakley said later Wednesday. He had been hired to place the devices, she said.

Authorities are investigating whether Turner and any other companies should be criminally charged, Coakley said. It wasn’t immediately clear Wednesday who might have hired Berdovsky.

“We’re not going to let this go without looking at the further roots of how this happened to cause the panic in this city,” Coakley said at a news conference.

Berdovsky was arrested at 8:15 p.m. at his lawyer’s office, Coakley said. His lawyer’s name wasn’t available, and phone number believed to be Berdovsky’s did not accept messages.

Berdovsky planted many of the devices, Coakley said, although he is charged in connection with just one. He is to be arraigned Thursday in state court. (Yahoo News)

UPDATE III: If restitution is good enough for The Runaway Bride, Jennifer Wilbanks, its good enough for Turner Broadcasting.

The Runaway Bide was forced to pay $2500.00 in restitution to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department for wasting their time and man power to search for her in what turned out to be a hoax. The security scare, ad campaign hoax is estimated to cost Boston $500K. What’s the difference? The restitution bill can be sent directly to Turner Broadcasting.

The law under which Berdovsky was charged allows the state to pursue restitution. Mayor Thomas Menino said estimated the security scare may have cost the city more than $500,000.

At least 14 of the devices were found, and at least 24 more are still around the city, officials said. (Yahoo News)

UPDATE IV: Two men face charges after Boston security scare

Its nice that you are going after the two people that actually placed the devices. Now its time to go after the corporate suits who planned and okayed this debacle. There is no way in a post 9–11 world in the year 2007 that any thinking person would not comprehend the detrimental implications of such actions. If these marketing types are that ignorant to the present day facts, maybe they should not be employed.

BOSTON (Reuters) – Authorities plan to charge two men on Thursday after an elaborate publicity stunt — planting blinking devices that were mistaken for bombs — caused Boston’s biggest security scare since the September 11 attacks.

Sean Stevens, 28, and Peter Berdovsky, 27, were to appear in state court in Charlestown. They will face charges of placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct, according to state Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Turner Broadcasting, a unit of Time Warner Inc., late Wednesday said it was responsible for the devices, which had been installed in 10 major U.S. cities. The devices were intended to promote the “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” cartoon show.