Police to PokemonGo players: Have fun but obey laws
Wichita police on Tuesday issued a statement urging PokemonGo players to exercise caution – and obey the law – while taking part in the gaming craze that is sweeping the nation.
“Everyone wants to catch Pokemon – even Wichita police officers,” Officer Charley Davidson said. “It’s great.”
But what’s not great, Davidson said, is players ignoring pedestrian or traffic regulations while playing the game. Officers also have been dealing with reports of players going onto private property and being in at least one city park while it’s closed at night.
Davidson said he is unaware of any injuries or traffic collisions triggered by players’ inattention.
PokemonGo is a virtual reality app using Nintendo characters and a player’s cellphone camera to superimpose characters into real-world locations. Players walk with their phones in front of them, and the app tells them how close they are to a treasure or Pokemon creature.
As they get closer, the app shows players a picture of the place they need to go, like a sign or a statue. As they close in on the real place, an animated object appears on top of the real-world site through a phone’s camera.
Nationwide, police have been dealing with surges in reports of suspicious characters. Teens in Missouri used the app to lure players to an isolated location and rob them, authorities have said.
Davidson called the PokemonGo craze “something of a first.”
“I think it’s exciting that people are out” playing the game, he said. “We want people to get out” and be around the city.
Residents are often the eyes and ears of the police department, he said, and the more people are out, the better the chances criminal activity will be spotted.
The statement issued by police on Tuesday isn’t intended to discourage anyone playing the game, he said, it’s to remind people to follow applicable laws and regulations so that “everybody does stay safe.”
Stan Finger: 316-268-6437, @StanFinger
Wichita Police Facebook page statement
Have you downloaded the Pokemon Go App? It seems to be a popular game right now. If you download this app the Wichita Police Department wants you to please be aware of a few things.
1. Make sure you are following all pedestrians’ ordinances to ensure the safety of not only yourselves, but also the drivers and other pedestrians on the roadways.
2. The City of Wichita parks have designated hours of operation and are closed between midnight and 6:00 AM.
3. Be respectful of private property, and be cognizant of no trespassing signs.
The Wichita Police Department wants everyone to have fun, but also to stay safe!!!!
This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 1:04 PM with the headline "Police to PokemonGo players: Have fun but obey laws."