MATTHEWS, N.C. — The new “Pokemon Go” app has users fixated to their phone as they explore their surroundings.
“When I’m not in class, I play it. When I’m at home, I play it. When I’m walking around the city, I play it. When I’m on the bus, I play it,” Isaiah Coats told Channel 9.
The free app came out just a week ago and is taking the world by storm.
“It’s a little addictive trying to collect everything,” said David Poe.
Ready for my live report w/ warning on #PokemonGO! I still don't get the game itself, but you should watch @wsoctv! pic.twitter.com/9Jkyb8Cov2
— Liz Foster (@lizfostercooper) July 13, 2016
Some people have been so into the game, they have run into others and knocked over displays at a Matthews gas station, which is why the manager put a sign in the window.
“No 'Pokemon Go' allowed! You will be asked to leave,” the sign read.
The app uses a smartphone’s camera and superimposes virtual creatures as players walk along in what the game’s developers call augmented reality. The more they walk around, the more Pokemon creatures they can catch, but the fact that it’s location-based is a concern for local police.
“If you have a situation where they’re going to know your future location, that’s definitely scary for us,” Matthews Police Department Officer Tim Aycock said. “I’m sure for parents as well because of pedophiles and stuff like that. They could be robbed or anything like that.”
On Sunday in Missouri, police arrested three men and a juvenile who are accused of luring people with “Pokemon Go,” then robbing them at gunpoint.
I really never expected anything like that to happen with Pokemon,” Coats said.
Police advised players to use common sense and always be aware of their surroundings.
“Maybe don’t go venturing out too far, like, if you go into the wilderness or go into a high-crime area, you don’t want to do that. Obviously, you should play it safe,” Poe said.
On Saturday night, more than 1,600 people are planning to go to Romare Bearden Park in uptown Charlotte to play “Pokemon Go,” according to a Facebook calendar event.
Channel 9 reached out to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police to find out if they plan to have extra officers nearby. There was no immediate response.
Cox Media Group
