Tredyffrin Police Issue Public Advisory On Pokemon Go

Tredyffrin, PA -- Tredyffrin police have issued a public advisory regarding the increasing popularity of Pokemon Go and the attendant dangers of the game.

Law enforcement agencies and community groups warned against several of the dangers of the new video game, which has led obsessed players to drive distracted, trespass on private property, and even walk straight off cliffs.

Tredyffrin police issued the following information on Friday:

• In some cases, police stations, public buildings, and houses located on private property have been designated as Pokestops and gyms. Law enforcement personnel have responded to an increase in trespassing incidents and reports of suspicious individuals since the game’s release.
• The game also allows players to set a “lure module,” intended to attract more Pokémon to a specific location for a short period of time. When a lure module is active, other Pokémon Go players can be drawn to the physical location to capture additional Pokémon characters.
• On 07/09/2016, four male suspects in St. Louis, Missouri activated a lure module within the game and drew players to a secluded parking lot, where they allegedly robbed eleven players at gunpoint.
• Using the geo-location feature, criminals are able to use the luring mechanisms of the app to seclude unknowing victims and anticipate the arrival of gamers.
• Citizens should be cognizant of players using the app on their mobile devises. Distracted game users might not be aware of their surroundings or use caution when entering into isolated areas. Criminals might also seek the opportunity to target players by luring them or waiting for their arrival at Pokéstops and gyms.

To the north, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office shared an image that read "Don't Pokemon and Drive." Beneath the image they said, "We can't believe we have to post this."

AAA has equated Pokemon Go with texting and drinking while driving.

"Don’t text and drive, don’t drink and drive, don’t Pokémon Go and drive," AAA Mid-Atlantic warned in a press release Friday. "Playing Pokémon Go behind the wheel is just as dangerous as any other form of distracted driving."

The auto club also cautioned in their statement that distracted pedestrians are risking their safety and the safety of other road users when they take their eyes off the sidewalk and roads.

Distracted driving is responsible for the deaths of one out of every 10 drivers nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

AAA recommends that drivers put their cellphone in the glove compartment or trunk to avoid the temptation, and to download a safety app that will lock your phone while driving.

Image courtesy Monroe County Sheriff's Office