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Ad campaign causes Boston alert Probe into Boston ad stunt chaos
(1 day later)
A major American media corporation has apologised for an outdoor marketing campaign that caused a day-long security alert in the city of Boston. Police in the US city of Boston are investigating a major American media corporation for causing a security alert that closed bridges and roads.
Turner Broadcasting System had placed "packages" with cartoons and blinking lights at separate locations across the city to advertise a television cartoon. Turner Broadcasting System placed electronic devices with blinking lights around the city as part of a campaign to market a late-night TV cartoon.
Roads and bridges were shut down while police bomb squads investigated the suspicious looking packages. Police were called out to investigate the suspicious-looking devices, which disrupted road and rail traffic.
Turner said the campaign had been in place in 10 cities for several weeks. Two men who placed the objects have been charged, state officials said.
Police destroyed the first package found to see if it contained explosives. Peter Berdovsky, 27, and Sean Stevens, 28, were each charged with placing a hoax device and disorderly conduct, Attorney General Martha Coakley said.
"The 'packages' in question are magnetic lights that pose no danger," Turner Broadcasting said in a statement. Turner Broadcasting System has apologised for the scare.
"We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger". Cartoon character
The small electronic sign-boards were placed near roads and under bridges over the Charles River, prompting suspicion from commuters.
A police bomb squad blew up one of the marketing devices
Police destroyed the first package they found to see if it contained explosives.
Parts of the subway, a bus station and a major highway were among areas shut down as police investigated reports of suspicious devices.
Turner said that the packages in question were "magnetic lights that pose no danger".
They were designed to promote an adult-oriented cartoon called Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
In a statement, the corporation said the campaign had already been in place in 10 US cities, including Boston, for several weeks.
"We regret that they were mistakenly thought to pose any danger," the company said.
Authorities in Boston say they are considering charges against Turner and an advertising company, and could demand financial compensation for the massive disruption caused by the marketing campaign gone wrong.
"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," Ms Coakley told a news conference.
The two men who have been charged face up to five years in prison.