Pokemon Go craze comes with safety concerns; local police, firefighters urge caution



SEATTLE -- The phrase “gotta catch 'em all” has made a comeback with a new Pokemon app, but it has caused local law enforcement to send out warnings to people of all ages.

The Pokemon Go craze may seem like a fun way to get out and explore your neighborhood, but this kid-friendly app has already put adults and chil in harm's way said police. In Pierce County, 911 dispatch has received calls about suspicious people, who turn out to be playing this game.

“I can see how you can just walk out into the street on accident,” said Sarah Ball, but before she could finish, “Oh – there’s a Pokemon;" she was interrupted by the game on her phone. She, like her husband and many of her friends, are caught up with this game, which has made a resurgence from their childhood.

But unlike the '90s, Pokemon now takes on a different life in the form of an app. No longer do you use cards, instead you use your cell phone and a map.

“We’ve walked probably 15-20 miles in the last six days playing this game,” said Ball.

Great exercise, she said, but not all the Pokemon are in easy to find places. She said it’s brought her to places she probably shouldn’t be going.

“I really needed to decide whether to risk my life walking on the train tracks to get it, but I am a smart adult and I didn’t,” she said.

Local police told Q13 News that the craze is hitting everyone.

“It’s a problem when people are playing this game, they are jumping fences or they’re going places they shouldn’t be and people don’t know they’re playing Pokemon,” said Pierce County sheriff's Detective Ed Troyer. He said for those watching unaware, “they’re going to think the worst.”

Troyer said on Sunday night, dispatch received a 911 call. What the people thought was a group of suspicious people turned out to be a car full of youths playing Pokemon. He said he expects the calls to get worse before they get better; from mistaken loitering, to people using the app to commit crimes.

Q13 News spoke to one dad, Reis Sherin, who knows about the dangers this app can bring. He said he uses the app with his daughter, “so she can look and do and I can make sure she’s safe.”

As a former Nintendo game player, Reis said he’s impressed with what the game has given his kids. It may be hard for a 15-year-old and an 11-year-old to find things in common. This Pokemon game has both riveted.

“This is a way for us to really connect,” said 15-year-old Elliot Sherin, speaking about her brother. “We go on walks around our neighborhood to catch Pokemon. It’s almost a bonding thing for us.”

When it comes to advice for parents, Sherin says to pay attention. “Just like anything else, a little bit is great, a lot of bit is bad. So just pay attention,” he said.

Sarah Ball said to remember to look up from your phone if you’re playing, and if you’re with your kids, don’t look down at your phone at all.

“Chaperone,” she said, “If you are going to take your kids out to play then don’t play yourself.”

Olympia firefighters also have some advice for players and parents. They shared these tips to their Facebook page on Monday.