'Aqua Teen Hunger Force' stunt brings Boston to a halt

BOSTON, MA - Turner Broadcasting has announced to the press they claim responsibility for the "hoax devices" that were found at several locations in and around Boston today that forced anti-terrorist police bomb units to scramble throughout the area, causing havoc and massive traffic snarls in Beantown.The incidents were the result of a marketing campaign that involved a character from the cartoon show that is part of the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim's animated television show, "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."A statement was released by Turner Broadcasting saying the packages were magnetic lights that were harmless. They are part of an outdoor marketing campaign in 10 cities in support of Adult Swim's animated television show owned by Turner Broadcasting, the parent company of Cartoon Network.The company stated that they have been in place for weeks in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco and Philadelphia.Turner Broadcasting regrets that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger and is working with all local law enforcement agencies per their statement.WCVB Boston ABC affiliate reports that Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick praised the response of law enforcement and said that he was "dismayed to learn that many of the devices are a part of a marketing campaign by Turner Broadcasting.""This stunt has caused considerable disruption and anxiety in our community. I understand that Turner Broadcasting has purported to apologize for this. I intend nonetheless to consult with the attorney general and other advisors about what recourse we may have," Patrick said."Emergency deployment teams were sent into the center of the city immediately upon these reports. There were significant shutdowns of not only highways, but rail traffic with the MBTA," Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said. "Several of the devices do have common characteristics, but it is too early to say how many are connected."Local media reports that the first device was found under Interstate 93, and the state police bomb squad was called and detonated the package in Sullivan Square.Officials told the ABC affiliate it contained an electronic circuit board with some components that were "consistent with an improvised explosive device," but they said it had no explosives.Boston police then received four calls, all at about 1 p.m., reporting more devices. Officials responded to at least nine locations, including the Boston University Bridge, the Longfellow Bridge, the McGrath O'Brien Highway in Somerville, a comic store on Harvard Avenue in Brighton, a location near the intersection of Stuart and Columbus streets, a location near Washington and Water streets and under the McCarthy Overpass in Somerville, according to the ABC affiliate.A device described by officials as a pipe bomb was found in the basement of the Tufts New England Medical Center at 185 Harrison Ave."It's a hoax, and it's not funny," Patrick said. "I think we fell at this point, that there is not a reason for anyone to panic, but there are reasons to be diligent."Storrow Drive eastbound was shut down for a brief time, and the MBTA suspended service on the Red Line and planned to bus afternoon commuters between Kendall and Park Street stations."Our device was not an active device. We are still treating the area as a crime scene. There were no injuries. Everyone was evacuated properly, and everyone now back to their locations," Tufts New England Medical Center's Brooke Hynes said.MBTA Lt. Sal Venturelli said police were told about the first package by a transit passenger who spotted it on a column that supports I-93. The parcel was located on an elevated structure above the bus way and below I-93 in the Charlestown section of Boston at about 8 a.m."This is a perfect example of our passengers taking part in Homeland Security," Venturelli said.

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toogoodFeb 1st, 2007 - 13:44:13

i have to say this is the ultamite advertising. Nothing has gone wrong in this act to get publicity. I almost gaurentee this was almost what was wanted (less how much it will be costing them)to happen. Now EVERYONE knows what Aqua Teen Hunger Force is and its awesome. Right on guys,

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KCFeb 1st, 2007 - 14:29:17

So, in Boston 4 Duracells and a bunch of blinking LEDs looks like an improvised explosive device? I hope the Boston authorities don't notice the scoreboards at Fenway Park. It would be a pity to see such a landmark blown up by the bomb squad over some cop's fear of blinking lights.

While I don't expect the police to be able to visually identify largely irrelevant cartoon characters from a trivial late night cartoon, I do expect them to have the judgment and training to recognize (and investigate) a small electronic device without pushing the big red stop button on an entire city's functions.

I don't really think the Turner Broadcasting folks owe Boston much more than a sheepish apology, much less the threat of arrest and fines. Perhaps Turner should charge the city for the training exercise. Boston most clearly needed it.

I do hope the city management is busy cleaning their panties, wiping the egg of of their faces and taking this lesson to heart. And I hope they spare themselves the embarrassment of losing any case they might try to bring against Turner or their agents.

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jbFeb 1st, 2007 - 17:35:21

Amazing ... when I finally found a picture (not easy to do) of the 'device' I couldn't believe anyone could mistake it for any kind of dangerous device, but then, consider how 'bright' those making that determination must be!

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Osama Bin LadenFeb 1st, 2007 - 18:17:35

The Moononites are part of our Jihad against the Great Devil that is American Neon Lights. All praise and power to Allah's Lite Brite (now available in 3 Mullah approved colors). La, la, la, la, la ..... Allah Akbar.

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Capt. MorganFeb 1st, 2007 - 18:17:41

They should be thankfull that they showed Boston how ill prepared they are in the event of a real threat. It's not like the items were put in place the night before, but 2 weeks ago !!!!!

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Steven HawkinFeb 1st, 2007 - 18:19:11

If being stupid is painful, then Boston must be in agony.

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Flip_66Feb 1st, 2007 - 19:33:33

Why Didn't Boston check with FEMA or any of it's neighboring cities when they discovered (about 2 weeks late) these LEDs (lit Explosive Devices)?
Apparently EVERY other major city cleaned them up just like any other piece of advertising found in public places.

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timomgwtfFeb 2nd, 2007 - 00:00:21

Hey why'dja yank mah comment? It was just the stinking ATHF theme song.

As for the reaction/response, I wonder if any of the 'powers that be'...I mean...'the powers that freak out' in Beantown are between the age of 15 and 45...there has GOT to be someone hip with a badge up there.

If there was any crime at all...it was the over over over over OVER OVER O-V-E-R reaction.

Boston...you Chicken Little...these guys pulled a 'Borat' on ya.

Tic...toc...tic...toc...now I'm just waiting on the evangelicals to demand a boycott of anything that they don’t understand or see humor in.

I am sure that Peter Berdovsky and Sean Stevens are quite happy to have a jump start to their careers…get used to it people…I’m sure that there is more to come.

01-31-2007…NEVER FORGET!

DA MOON RULZ #1!!!!

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fallguyMay 7th, 2007 - 14:46:04

These devices did not look threatening. A huge over reaction by someboydy. So this is the sum of all fears? Obviously the other cities did not have a problem, but Boston did. After the first one was taken down, how were the rest treated?

Ignignot: Hello, Carl, I am Ignignot, and this is Ur.
Ur: I am Ur!
Ignignot: We are Mooninites from the inner core of the Moon.
Ur: You said it right!
Ignignot: Our race is hundreds of years beyond yours.
Ur: Man, you hear what he's sayin'?
Ignignot: Some would say that the Earth is *our* moon.
Ur: *We're* the Moon!
Ignignot: But that would belittle the name of our Moon, which is the Moon.
Ur: Point is, we're at the center, not you!
Carl: No, the real point is I don't give a damn. (slams door)
Ignignot: Is your ego satisfied?
Ur: Damn no!

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