Pokemon Go has become an international phenomenon, but like all fads it has pros and cons, which prompted Edmonton police to remind Pokemon trainers to play responsibly.
Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton have received complaints about people playing Pokemon Go and they are unnerving – officers have noticed distracted drivers playing the game and pedestrians playing it have been seen walking into traffic or into people.
“Be aware of your surroundings,” Const. Hunter Robinz said. “If you’re going into an area that’s heavily trafficked with pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic – if you’ve got your head down and you’re not paying attention – you could run into some other issues.”
EPS said there have also been a number of citizen complaints about players at neighbourhood and community parks.
RELATED: Pokemon Go players targeted in Ottawa attempted robbery, police urge caution
Players can also place lures to attract Pokemon to them, which has resulted in large gatherings in hot spots around the city.
“Obviously there are laws against being in certain public areas at certain times of night (and) obviously there’s laws against being on someone else’s property,” Robinz said, adding police have received complaints of up to 200 people congregating at certain places to play the game at all times of day and night.
The Village of Grisbach in north Edmonton has been a particularly popular place. Patricia Park – where there are memorials to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry – has been a gathering spot for dozens, sometimes hundreds of people.
READ MORE: Strange places Pokemon Go is sending its players
Police are reminding residents that parks in the city are only open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
“We’ve received a number of complaints from various communities that are unknowingly saturated in ‘pokestops,’” Robinz said.
“We want to remind citizens that they need to be respectful of the noise in neighbourhoods and public spaces, specifically during the evening hours.”
RELATED: Montreal Children’s Hospital asks Pokemon Go users to stop dropping lures
The augmented-reality game sends players into the real world to search for the mythical digital pocket monsters known as Pokemon, who appear onscreen when users hold up their smartphones in various locations at various times of the day.
Police also said while they want people to have fun playing the game, they should also be aware of how they may appear at times.
“One of our challenges as local law enforcement is discerning (between) someone that’s in a back alley that may have less than reputable ideas and somebody that literally is just having fun and they’re trying to catch a Pokemon,” Robinz said.
The game was officially released Sunday in Canada, but was available for download via unofficial sources a week earlier.
- Invasive strep: ‘Don’t wait’ to seek care, N.S. woman warns on long road to recovery
- Ontario First Nation declares state of emergency amid skyrocketing benzene levels
- T. Rex an intelligent tool-user and culture-builder? Not so fast, says new U of A research
- Do Canadians have an appetite for electric vehicles? Experts are divided
READ MORE: How many calories can you burn playing Pokemon Go?
The scavenger hunt-style game encourages users to walk or bike around to hunt down and catch Pokemon, collect items from PokeStops, and battle other players at virtual gyms located in real world places, such as parks, college campuses and even at Global Edmonton.
READ MORE: ‘That is ridiculous’: Edmonton resident frustrated by Pokemon Go traffic
Police forces across Canada have already issued warnings several of the risks involved in playing the game, such as stepping into traffic without looking up from the screen, or even trying to play while driving.
READ MORE: Pokemon Go: Police forces across Canada warn of risks involved with playing
Below are some tips issued by EPS:
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Don’t play while driving, on a bike or any other means of transportation
- Don’t play in isolated areas while alone
- Keep off private property and be respectful if entering a business
- Wear reflective clothing if playing at night
- Be mindful of noise levels in neighbourhoods and public spaces
With files from Phil Heidenreich & The Canadian Press.
Comments