Concerns grow over crimes and injuries associated with Pokémon Go
It started off as the subject of many light-hearted jokes, but the new, seemingly addictive mobile phone game Pokémon Go has quickly turned into a serious safety concern across the nation.
Pokémon Go is an interactive game that players take part in using mobile devices. The location-based, augmented reality game brings players to various locations during game play — so players can easily find themselves in a region that is far from home and/or that they know little about.
Wide range of issues and incidents
Law enforcement officials and first responders around the U.S. have been forced to deal with a wide array of crimes and injuries all centered on the game. In recent weeks, a couple in Arizona allegedly [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/arizona-couple-abandons-toddler-play-pokemon-go-n621006″ title=”abandoned their toddler”] to play the game, and there is a long list of other [link url=”http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/terrible-things-happening-to-pokemon-go-players/” title=”terrible things happening to players”]: physical attacks, robberies, heat stroke, and flesh wounds. Players have fallen off cliffs, been involved in auto accidents, and have been hit by vehicles as pedestrians.
Some police departments, such as the [link url=”https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/758742445844631559″ title=”Kansas City Police Department”], have gone as far as issuing official public safety bulletins or other similar public warnings and alerts. The various warnings advise players to use good judgment and pay attention when playing the game, that is, to avoid going to a location where they feel unsafe just to play the game.
Recent armed robberies in KC of people playing Pokemon Go. For your safety, pay attention to your surroundings! pic.twitter.com/1V3BDExlV2
— kcpolice (@kcpolice) July 28, 2016
New York restricts sex offenders
Some local governments are taking even further action to protect local residents against the dangers associated with the nuances of the Pokémon Go.
This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to [link url=”https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-directs-department-corrections-and-community-supervision-restrict-sex-offenders” title=”restrict sex offenders from using Pokémon Go”] after concerns surfaced that players could potentially be lured to dangerous areas.
“Protecting New York’s children is priority number one and, as technology evolves, we must ensure these advances don’t become new avenues for dangerous predators to prey on new victims.” — [link url=”https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-directs-department-corrections-and-community-supervision-restrict-sex-offenders” title=”New York Governor Andrew Cuomo”]
Cuomo’s directive applies specifically to about 3,000 Level 1, 2 and 3 sex offenders currently on parole in the state of New York.
.@NYGovCuomo: Registered sex offenders better think twice before d/l'ing @PokemonGoApp https://t.co/GX18AAR0Nd pic.twitter.com/OTQg4g3c84
— NYS Public Safety (@NYSPublicSafety) August 1, 2016
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