I agree with you, Sarge.
Bill them for the overtime and other expenses and give jail time to these "creative artists"!!!!
What will they be charged with?
They can't be charged with making hoax bomb threats because they never made a bomb threat. The signs do not resemble bombs, nor were they intended to be seen as bombs.
They can't be charged with trespassing because the signs were all placed in public places.
The most I can think of is littering- one fine for each sign placed. Then again, the DA would have to demonstrate that people and businesses that routinely plaster telephone poles and bus stops with signs and fliers are consistently fined.
The union cops in Boston simply had nothing better to do yesterday.
The resulting publicity nationwide was more effective than a Super Bowl ad, and not that much more expensive (if Turner has to pay for the officers' $1 Million overtime). If they don't get slapped hard, some other creative geniuses might think it's worth the risk to do something similar.
Throw the book at those on Madison Avenue who thought up this idea....Ted Turner and gang....CNN....and Time Warner.
If Turner gets a pass on this.....just phhoooey!