In January 2007, a peculiar incident occurred in Boston when emergency officials rushed to the scene after receiving reports about suspicious devices resembling bombs. These devices turned out to be battery-powered LED placards depicting the characters of the animated series Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The signs had been part of a guerrilla marketing campaign to promote the show. As Boston had been on heightened alert since the September 11 attacks, the public's fear of explosives led to a swift and substantial response from law enforcement.

The events unfolded when several of the placards were discovered around the city. In particular, one was found on a bridge that triggered alarm bells among local residents and passersby. Emergency services, including bomb squads, descended upon the scene, reflecting substantial public concern for safety in a city that had experienced its share of crises. The situation escalated quickly as police shut down sections of road and cleared nearby areas, creating chaos throughout the city as people wondered what was happening.

It was later revealed that these promotional placards were in place for several weeks, unnoticed amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. However, once seen through the lens of security, their cartoonish appearance was overshadowed by panic. This unexpected overreaction underscored not only the intense scrutiny faced by anonymous objects in the post-9/11 world but also raised questions about public judgment and media influence in shaping fear.