Local Police Warn Potential Players About Dangers of Pokemon Go App

Local police are warning about the dangers of the new Pokemon Go app.

“Reports are coming in from around the country where individuals have been driving while looking at the screen as well as walking and looking at the screen” resulting in accidents, West Windsor Police said on Monday.

They also warned residents that some people are using the app to lure people into secluded areas and rob them.

The new app combines cartoon action with local landmarks, and has users wandering around outside looking for places to catch monsters.

The game also features “Poke Stops,” where fans can collect supplies and “gyms” to let their characters do battle.

Pokemon Go challenges players to go out in the real world to locate and catch Pokemon. Notifications pop up when creatures are nearby, which in theory could distract people wherever they are.

“Please be aware of your surroundings and always use best practices for personal safety no matter where an app tells you to go,” police said. “Using the geolocation feature or the beacon from the game may be a clever trick by would be robbers who are interested in your real world stuff and not your pokemon. That rare pokemon may come at the cost of your car or possibly your life."

The attached image was provided by West Windsor Police