2007 Boston Mooninite panic

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LED advertisement featuring the character Ignignokt (from ATHF), as seen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Identical devices were removed by police throughout the Boston area on January 31, 2007.

The January 31, 2007 Boston bomb scare (Boston advertising security scare, Aqua-Gate or Boston Mooninite ad scare) occured when Boston police officers mistakenly identified small electronic devices found throughout Boston and the surrounding cities of Cambridge and Somerville as improvised explosive devices.[1] The suspicious devices turned out to be battery-powered LED placards with an image of a cartoon character called a "mooninite" used in a guerrilla marketing campaign for Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters, a film based on the animated TV series Aqua Teen Hunger Force (ATHF) on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim late-night programming block.[1]

Background

In November 2006, artists Peter Berdovsky, 27, from Arlington, Massachusetts, and Sean Stevens, 28, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, were hired by marketing company Interference, Inc. to install 40 electronic signs in and around Boston. Berdovsky and Stevens installed the devices in two waves in January 2007; first mounting 20 signs around the middle of January, then coming back to mount an additional 18 signs on the night of January 29, 2007.[2]

Devices

During the early morning hours the promotional devices were not illuminated.
File:Mooninite2.JPG
Closeup of the same device with the diodes lit.

The devices were promotional electronic placards for the forthcoming Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. Each device, measuring about 1 by 1.5 feet,[1] consisted of a circuit board with a magnetic backing and an arrangement of light-emitting diodes powered by four D batteries. The LEDs were arranged in a pixelated likeness of Ignignokt, a Mooninite character from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, displaying the middle finger.[3][4] Similar devices featuring Err, another Mooninite making the same gesture, were also made. Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said the device "had a very sinister appearance. It had a battery behind it, and wires".[5] Others compared the displays to Lite-Brites.[5]

Day of the incident

On January 31, 2007, at 8:18 a.m.[6], an employee of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spotted the device on a stanchion that supports an elevated section of Interstate 93 (I-93), above Sullivan Station. At 9 a.m. the Boston Police Bomb squad receives a phonecall from the MBTA requesting assistance in identifying the device[6]. During the preliminary investigation at the site, the police found that the device shared some characteristics with improvised explosive devices. These characteristics included an identifiable power source, circuit board with exposed wiring, and electrical tape. After the initial assessment, the Boston police shut down the northbound side of I-93 and parts of the public transportation system. At around 10 a.m. the police sprayed the suspicious device with a water cannon, completely destroying it.[1]. By 10:21 a.m. the device was determined to be a hoax.[6]

Several later, at 12:54 p.m., Boston police received a call identifying a similar device located at the intersection of Stuart and Charles Street.[6] At 1:11 p.m. the Massachusetts State Police requested assistance from the bomb squad with devices found under the Longfellow and Boston University bridges.[6] Both bridges were closed as a precaution and the Coast Guard closed the river itself to boat traffic.[7][8]

The first media reports that the event was a hoax occurred around 1 p.m.[citation needed] Friends of Peter Berdovsky received an e-mail from him at 1:26 p.m. which alleged that five hours into the scare, an Interference executive requested Berdovsky "keep everything on the dl".[2] As Travis Vautour, friend of Berdovsky, states: "We received an e-mail in the early afternoon from Peter that asked the community that he's a part of to keep any information we had on the down low and that was instructed to him by whoever his boss was."[9]

Two hours later, Interference notified their client, Cartoon Network, rather than law enforcement authorities.[2] Between 2 and 3 p.m., a police analyst identified the image on the devices as an ATHF cartoon character, and the police concluded the incident was a publicity stunt.[1] Turner Broadcasting System issued a statement concerning the event at around 4:30 p.m.[1] Portions of the Turner statement read: "We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger. 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."[10]

"They have been in place for two to three weeks in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Austin, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. Parent company Turner Broadcasting is in contact with local and federal law enforcement on the exact locations of the billboards. We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger." The devices had been up in the cities listed for two weeks before the Boston incident occurred.[10]

The marketing company responsible for the campaign, Interference, Inc., has made no comment on the situation and their website has also been down.[11] Berdovsky and Stevens, the individuals hired by Interference to install the signs, were arrested by Boston police during the evening of January 31, and charged with violating Chapter 266: Section 102A½ of The General Laws of Massachusetts, which makes it a crime to place a "hoax device" with the intent to panic the public.[3][12] Both were released on $2,500 bail.

City officials have stated they intend to seek restitution from Turner Broadcasting for costs incurred during the incident. Those costs reportedly top $500,000 USD for Boston and an additional $500,000 for the MBTA, Cambridge, and Somerville.[2]

Arrests

Berdovsky and Stevens were arrested on the day of the incident and charged with placing a hoax device to incite panic, a felony charge that carries a five year maximum sentence, and one count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. Both pleaded not guilty to the two charges and were later released on a $2,500 cash bond.[2] At their arraignment Assistant Attorney General John Grossman claimed that the two were trying to "get attention by causing fear and unrest that there was a bomb in that location."[13] Michael Rich, the lawyer representing both men, disputed Grossman's claim, asserting that even a VCR could be found to fit the description of a bomb-like device.[13] Judge Leary said that it will be necessary for the prosecution to demonstrate an intent on the part of the suspects to cause a panic. The judge continues "It appears the suspects had no such intent, …but the question should be discussed in a later hearing."[13] A small crowd of supporters gathered outside of the courthouse to protest the perceived overreaction by authorities.

At a press conference held outside of the courthouse following their release from jail, Stevens Berdovsky, and Rich refused to comment on the case. Berdovsky and Stevens instead insisted on dicussing hairstyles of the 1970s, prompting annoyed comments and accusations of apathy from the press.[5]

Public reaction

According to Fox News, fans of ATHF mocked Boston officials during the press conference of Peter and Sean, calling the arrests an overreaction while holding signs supporting the actions of the two. These signs had slogans such as "1-31-07 Never Forget," satirizing Mayor Tom Menino's mentions of 9/11.[14]

Other local Boston residents have been quoted by local papers. "We all thought it was pretty funny," said one student. "The majority of us recognize the difference between a bomb and a Lite-Brite," said another.[15] One resident said that the police response was "silly and insane", and that "We’re the laughingstock".[16]

On February 1st & 2nd, several webcomics referred to or commented on the incident, including Bunny[17], Diesel Sweeties[18], Overcompensating, and Thinkin' Lincoln[19]. Something Positive, which is written and drawn by Boston resident R. K. Milholland, also weighed in on the issue.[20]

The Boston Globe stated that the "marketing gambit exposes a wide generation gap", quoting one 29-year old blogger as writing "Repeat after me, authorities. L-E-D. Not I-E-D. Get it?"[21] The G4 television channel dubbed the scare Aqua-Gate, thus suggesting the scare was a scandal.[22] Bruce Schneier, a security expert and writer on contemporary security issues summed up the incident as a "Non-Terrorist Embarrassment in Boston"[23]. Wired News discussed Massachusetts law and the direction of media reporting from outlets such as CNN, and concludes than no one but a "hysterical moron" could "reasonably believe" that the LED placards were "hoax devices."[24]

Response in other cities

Aqua Teen Hunger Force promotional devices were placed in conspicuous public places in ten different cities. This is one found at the entrance to a MARTA station in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ten cities in all were involved in the marketing campaign that began two to three weeks before the incident in Boston.

New York City, New York

The New York Police Department contacted Interference Inc., a New York-based marketing firm, to request a list of 41 locations where the devices were installed.[25] Officers were able to locate and remove only two devices, both planted on an overpass at 33rd Street and West Side Highway.[25] The NYPD did not receive any complaints about the devices according to police spokesman Paul Brown.[25]

Chicago, Illinois

At 9:30 p.m. on the evening of January 31, the Chicago Police Department received a list of installation locations from Interference Inc..[26] Police recovered and disposed of 20 of the 35 devices, leaving 15 unaccounted for. Police Superintendent Philip Cline admonished those responsible for the campaign, stating "One of the devices could have easily been mistaken for a bomb and set off enough panic to alarm the entire city."[26] Cline went on to say that, on February 1, he asked Turner Broadcasting to reimburse the city for funds spent on locating and disposing the devices.[26]

Seattle, Washington

Fewer than 20 devices were found in Seattle and neither the Seattle Police Department nor the King County Sheriff's Office received 9-1-1 calls regarding them.[27] King County Sheriff's spokesman John Urquhart went on to state, "To us, they're so obviously not suspicious ... We don't consider them dangerous."[27]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Interference Inc. hired two people to distribute 20 devices throughout Philadelphia on January 11.[28] One of these was Ryan, a 24-year-old from Fishtown, who claimed that he was promised $300 USD for installing the devices, only 18 of which were actually functional.[28] Following the scare in Boston, the Philadelphia Police Department recovered only 3 of the 18 devices. Joe Grace, spokesman for Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street, was quoted as saying "We think it was a stupid, regrettable, irresponsible stunt by Turner. We do not take kindly to it."[28]

Los Angeles, California

No devices were retreived in Los Angeles and Lieutenant Paul Vernon of the LAPD stated that "no one perceived them as a threat."[29]

Devices and unauthorized merchandise sold on eBay

The incident prompted opportunists to acquire the promotional devices from other cities and auction them on eBay, with prices ranging from $500 to $5,000 USD.[30] Other eBay users created unauthorized merchandise commemorating the event, including such items as T-shirts, stickers, and custom LED signs.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Smalley, Suzanne (2007-02-01). "Froth, fear, and fury". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-02-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e Levenson, Michael (2007-02-02). "Turner Broadcasting accepts blame, promises restitution". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-02-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b "Arrest Made In Boston's Hoax Device Incident". CBS Corporation. 2007-01-31. Retrieved 2007-01-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Jamy Pombo (January 31, 2007). "TV Network Takes Responsibility For 'Hoax Devices'". ABC. Retrieved 2007-01-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b c Lothian, Dan (2007-02-01). "Two plead not guilty to Boston hoax charges". CNN. Retrieved 2007-02-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c d e Davis, Ed (2007-02-02). "MESSAGE FROM THE POLICE COMMISSIONER". BPDNews.com. Boston Police Department. Retrieved 2007-02-03. THIS IS AN INTERNAL MESSAGE SENT BY COMMISSIONER DAVIS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
  7. ^ "Man held after ad campaign triggers Boston bomb scare". CNN. 2007-02-01. Retrieved 2007-02-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Security alert shuts Boston's Charles River". Reuters. January 31, 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Silverstein, Jonathan (2007-02-02). "As Boston Reeled, Was Artist Asked to Keep Quiet?". ABC News. Retrieved 2007-02-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b Powell, Shirley (2007-01-31). "Statement from Turner Broadcasting Co". CNN. TBS Corporate Communications. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
  11. ^ "Movie News – "Hunger Force" Ad Campaign Causes Boston Bomb Scare".
  12. ^ http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/266-102a.5.htm. The General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 266: Section 102A½. Retrieved on Feb. 1, 2007
  13. ^ a b c Lindsay, Jay (2007-02-01). "Men Held on Bond in Boston Hoax Case". ABCnews.go.com/. ABC. Retrieved 2007-02-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,249241,00.html
  15. ^ http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/homepage/8998960763112521727
  16. ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16931200/
  17. ^ Lem (2007-02-01). "boston fear party". Bunny. Retrieved 2007-02-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ Stevens III, Richard. "Sic Semper Turing Test". Diesel Sweeties. Retrieved 2007-02-03. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ http://www.thinkin-lincoln.com/index.php?strip_id=382
  20. ^ Milholland, R. K. (2007-02-01). "Something Positive for February 1st, 2007". Something Positive. Retrieved 2007-02-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ Levenson, Michael (2007-02-01). "Marketing gambit exposes a wide generation gap". The Boston Globe. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "accessdate-2007-02-02" ignored (help)
  22. ^ "G4 - The Feed - Articles tagged with "Aqua-Gate"". G4tv.com. G4 Media. Retrieved 2007-02-02. Note also that this naming continues the tradition of calling scandals "-gate" after the Watergate scandal.
  23. ^ Cite error: The named reference Schneier was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ http://blog.wired.com/tableofmalcontents/2007/02/did_peter_bered.html
  25. ^ a b c Toosi, Nathal (2007-02-01). "Boston publicity stunt sets off activity in New York". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  26. ^ a b c Fitzsimmons, Emma Graves (2007-02-02). "Cops not laughing at signs". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  27. ^ a b Harrell, Debera (2007-02-01). "Cartoon Network publicity stunt sparks panic in Boston -- but not here". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  28. ^ a b c Maykuth, Andrew (2007-02-02). "Cartoon caper shows up here, but nobody's laughing". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  29. ^ Blankstein, Andrew (2007-02-01). "Devices placed in Boston also intended for L.A." LA Times. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  30. ^ Roberts, Paul (2007-02-01). "Bids for Boston bomb scare promo top $5,000". InfoWorld Tech Watch. IDG. Retrieved 2007-02-03.
  31. ^ Marotta, Michael (2007-02-02). "Mooninite moneymaker: T-shirts, LED displays hit eBay". Boston Herald. GateHouse Media. Retrieved 2007-02-03.

External links

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