POKEMON GO IS SWEEPING MAPLEWOOD, BUT BE CAREFUL

If you haven't heard of Pokemon Go, the new smartphone game that has much of Maplewood roaming the streets, parks and other spots in search of "lures," "gyms," and "monuments," you soon will.

Based on the old Pokemon characters the new "augmented reality" cell phone game that launched on July 1 has already swept through much of our town, with players scurrying about, with heads keeping an eye on their phone to follow where they can find the necessary characters and computer-generated rewards.

See one explanation of the game HERE.

In Maplewood, the Memorial Park duck pond has become a meeting stop for many, as has the rain garden at the Hilton Library.

We spoke to some Pokemon Goers at those spots.

See below:




But the game has also had its share of accidents and dangers in some cities with people not watching where they were going and getting hit or falling.

We asked Maplewood Police about the potential pitfalls and they issued this statement:

As of this time we have not had any incidents as a result of the 

Pokeman Go Application. I do not have first hand knowledge of 

the game, but understand that it could possibly be used to lure 

individuals playing it to a specific location. 

In a robbery in St Louis, the suspects supposedly added a
beacon near a Poke-stop in their location, which lured more 

players nearby and provided the opportunity for them to be 

robbed.  The players attempt to find and catch Pokemon in their 

area or the surrounding areas and became unsuspecting
victims.

As with other applications and websites such as Craig’s list, 

Wallapop, ect, this application or game has the potential to be 

and has been exploited by criminals. 

Individuals using it need to exercise common sense and good street 

smarts in order to avoid becoming victims of those wishing to 

pray upon them. 

Only go to public locations where there are many people around, 

during daytime hours and areas that you are familiar with. 

If possible go with someone. Avoid walking with your smart
phone visible to others as this also makes you a potential target. 

Smart phones are a hot commodity and letting others know that 

you have one increase the probability of you becoming the target 

of a theft or robbery.