Even if you think its your destiny to be the very best, local police are asking aspiring Pokemasters to exercise basic caution when searching far and wide for that oh-so-rare Pokemon. And for anyone unsettled by a recent uptick in roving youngsters nearby, they are probably just catching virtual creatures on their glowing smartphone.
Several days after the Pokemon Go mobile game was released in early July, the West Windsor Police Department issued a press releasing warning players “that rare Pokemon may come at the cost of your car or possibly your life.”
“For kids traveling in general, don’t wander into dark areas. If you wouldn’t do it on a good day don’t do it because you’re looking for a Pokemon,” said West Windsor Police Lt. Robert Garofalo.
Garofalo added that the press release was also intended to let residents be aware of individuals that might look odd wandering about, but who might actually just be trying to catch ‘em all.
Pokemon Go is an “augmented reality” game played on smartphones. Imaginary creatures called Pokemon are superimposed onto the real world, and players must physically travel across the land to the Pokemon’s location in order to find and capture Pokemon.
The township’s parks are closed after dusk, but people have been roaming around Community Park at night because the game has installed valuable locations there. Garofalo says people are not supposed to be in parks after dusk for safety reasons.
“Individuals will most likely be asked to leave the park,” Garofalo said. “We wouldn’t want people to trip in the dark or be alone and have a medical emergency happen.”
While nothing has happened locally, in Missouri there are reports the game has been used to perpetrate robberies by luring players to secluded areas. Players can cast a beacon at certain locations that can be viewed by all players. These beacons function as lures for virtual Pokemon, which in real life also attract players eager to arrive at the beacon geolocation to catch the Pokemon. Unscrupulous users can cast a beacon in a remote location, tempting unsuspecting victims looking to their Pokemon collection, but who then are robbed in real life.
And, as always, it is not advisable to cruise around in a car or walk whilst glued to phone. “Just be cautious, don’t give up your normal safety precautions,” Garofalo said.
