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Police have safety tips for Pokemon Go players

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Both Morgantown and WVU police are warning “Pokémon Go” players to avoid playing in traffic or at the very  least to pay attention to their surroundings when fixated on the latest app.

A release from Morgantown Police Chief Ed Preston was written to provide some safety tips as players seek out, capture, train and battle their creatures.

“Pokémon fever has hit the streets of Morgantown,” Preston told WAJR.

His release included simple advice. “Please remember that the real world is still around you.”

Departments across the country have reported accidents, injuries, and strings of robberies where suspects have set up fake Pokémon spots.

-Slow moving vehicles paralleling a person on foot (Pokémon Go players are setting out on foot to play) might be a sign it is a get-away car. If you get the sense you are being followed or set-up for a robbery, head to a lighted area with people around.

-Watch where you are going. Don’t be fixated on your phone or tablet screen while crossing streets, getting off buses, or even while walking.

-Be mindful not run into trees, parking meters, and things that are attached to sidewalks.

-Do not drive, ride your bike or skateboard while interacting with the app.

-Know where your kids are going when playing with the app, and set limits on where they can go.

-Tell your kids about stranger-danger because the app may bring strangers together in real life at Pokémon spots.

-Do not go onto private property, dark alleys, or areas that you usually would not go if you weren’t playing the game.

“They don’t need to be going dark alleys. They need to stay with groups of people so as not to endanger themselves,” Preston added.

-Do not try sneaking around police stations, fire stations or public safety vehicles. Your attempts to capture a Pokémon could be considered suspicious activity.

“Trespassing in people’s yards, that kind of activity, will probably have unwanted attention drawn to them,” the chief explained.

-If you are going to the Morgantown Public Safety Building Pokémon spot, the Chief requests players remain on the front steps in the lighted area at night.

In recent days, the chief has learned enough about the app to know why players are showing up on his door.

“The police station is a Pokémon spot where they can train their Pokémon. We’ve had anywhere from a dozen to 30 people on our steps.”

A final reminder from the chief?

“I saw one poor lady; they were trying to capture Pokémon through the car window. We had to have a little talk about ‘Don’t operate your car with a game. Don’t do that’. That will cause you to get a ticket.”

That’s a fine Pokémon Go won’t be paying.





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