But the response is to the reports, not the reality of what's determined later. They don't have the luxury of waiting until they find out there's no risk, even if they're pretty sure there is no risk.
If they did, and instead there turned out to be an actual plot in action... we'd *fry* them for failing to act in time. It's a no-win for them.
Well if that's the standard we are doomed.
If someone reports something odd being dropped in a trash can in a couple of locations we have to shut down the city...
Someone could actually go look at the "device" that had been there for more than a week to make a determination prior to shutting down the city...