Pokemon Go may be providing much needed exercise for enthusiastic players, but it’s mostly giving headaches to local law enforcement.
Sheriff Jake Sheriff said phone calls related to suspicious activity have increased in Yazoo County since the Pokemon Go craze began.
“People are playing this game at all hours of the night, and they’re usually going to churches and other public places,” Sheriff said. “Sometimes players are taking shortcuts and cutting through yards or getting on private property. That’s not safe. If a homeowner sees someone on their property in the middle of the night, they may assume that it’s a threat.”
Sheriff said deputies have encountered teenagers out on the streets playing the game after 1 a.m. He said deputies recently found two teens in the early morning hours near Shady Lane Drive who had gotten caught up in the game and had gotten lost.
“We also had an incident where a deputy pulled up beside a car that was sitting still around 3 a.m.,” Sheriff said. “The driver was staring at his phone, and didn’t even realize the deputy was sitting there looking at him for about two minutes until the deputy said something.”
Sheriff said the two things that concern him the most are that users may not be aware of their surroundings while playing the game and that some may play the game while driving.
“Under no circumstances should you play while driving a vehicle,” Sheriff said. “It’s just like texting and driving. If you have an accident, it will be considered your fault.”
Users are also urged to pay attention to what’s going on around them. In the opening screen of the game each time the app is opened the warning, “Remember to be alert at all times. Stay aware of your surroundings,” appears.
Sheriff pointed to a recent incident in Clinton where Pokemon users were robbed.
“This game sometimes takes people out to isolated places, and criminals may be aware of where those places are,” Sheriff said. “You have to use good judgement.”
