[joemi]

The very first sentence of the article you linked states that they were mistaken for IEDs.

[willis936]

Should I report every lighted billboard I see on every block for potentially being an IED? Shall I call in every car for possibly being a car bomb? I see people on cell phones in the city constantly. Those could each be explosive devices.

[almostgotcaught]

I'm aware and what we're debating here is whether it was a rational reaction (not whether it happened).

[thih9]

I think in some ways it was - this was a marketing effort, outside of legislation and not consulted with authorities.

A disproportionate response here will discourage other companies from similar guerrilla marketing.

I doubt anyone wants more marketing, and especially unregulated marketing.

[MBCook]

Marketing departments are not required to consult with the local police department in the United States to find out if their campaigns will be an inconvenience.

[thih9]

But can they post ads anywhere and in any form in a public space?

[mulmen]

It also says “mistakenly”.

> On the morning of January 31, 2007, the Boston Police Department and the Boston Fire Department mistakenly identified battery-powered LED placards depicting the Mooninites, characters from the Adult Swim animated television series Aqua Teen Hunger Force, as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), leading to a massive panic.

[netsharc]

Because if someone was planting IEDs, they should be prominently visible, and have lights drawing attention to it...

What IED handbook would these people be reading?

Oh wait, maybe it's the handbook that says "Make them look like they're just for entertainment, so everyone will think they're just harmless marketing gimmicks.". But if so, the handbook should specify they should make it Mickey Mouse, not some obscure TV show...

[mcmcmc]

From an attacker perspective, drawing victims closer to the device before detonation would increase the lethality.

[MBCook]

But if it’s placed on a bridge it doesn’t really matter, your target is the people above on the bridge right? If anything in that circumstance it seems like it would make it more likely to be discovered and stop your plan.