Boston defends reaction to signs- residents say panicked response was 'silly and insane'LINKED VIDEO INSIDE

VIDEO LINK 3rd post down.

Feb. 2, 2007, 12:42AM
Boston defends the way it reacted to electric signs
Some residents say the panicked response was 'silly and insane'


By DENISE LAVOIE and JAY LINDSAY
Associated Press

Marketing ploy
Did Boston overreact to cartoon campaign?
Boston hoax suspects charged, released
Q&A: Cartoon campaign 'irresponsible' BOSTON — In nine cities across the country, blinking electronic signs displaying a profane, boxy-looking cartoon character caused barely a stir.

But in Boston, the signs — some with protruding wires — sent a wave of panic across the city, bringing out bomb squads and prompting officials to shut down highways and bridges.

Officials defended their reaction Thursday even as two men charged in the case, and some residents, mocked the response as overblown.

Tracy O'Connor, 34, a retail manager, called the police response to the advertising gimmick for the Cartoon Network show Aqua Teen Hunger Force "silly and insane." But public safety officials condemned the publicity campaign as unthinkable in today's post-9/11 world.

"Just a little over a mile away from the placement of the first device, a group of terrorists boarded airplanes and launched an attack on New York City," police Commissioner Edward Davis said in an interview.

Officials have vowed to hold responsible Turner Broadcasting Inc., the parent company of the Cartoon Network.

Two men who authorities say were paid to place the devices around the city pleaded not guilty Thursday to placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct. Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were released on $2,500 cash bond — apparently amused by the situation, even though they face up to five years in prison.

Police in the other cities where the devices were placed fanned out to find and remove them after Boston's scare.

Some enterprising people got to the devices before police: At least seven were for sale Thursday on the Internet auction site eBay, ranging in price from $500 to $2,100.