(Trinidad Guardian) Southern Division police are warning Pokemon trainers against venturing into parks and lonely areas late at nights, saying that they are making themselves a target for bandits.
A senior officer told the Guardian yesterday that San Fernando police have broken up several crowds of people searching for Pokemon since the Pokemon Go app became available in T&T last Wednesday. The officer said trainers have been coming out to Skinner Park’s secondary ground, the Southern Academy for Performing Arts and Palmiste Park around 11 pm and midnight, searching for Pokemon.
He said: “By doing this, you become a potential victim of crime. “People come out all hours of the night with their phones in their hands looking for these things. I agree that this is a free country, but they have to understand what is going on. Criminals are there and will be watching their expensive phones and waiting right there to rob them. Some people have phones that cost $5,000 and $6,000.
“It is the police who will have investigate these robberies and if they can’t provide proper information to us, we may not be able to solve it,” the officer said. Not only are they potential victims of crime, but players can also suffer road accidents.
He said he had witnessed people driving and being alerted that a Pokemon was available in the area and stopping suddenly without following proper driving regulations.
The Pokemon Go app allows users to create an avatar and using a map, locate Pokemon, creatures that exist virtually in the app. On the map, players can also find virtual
Pokestops which provide them with items, such as eggs, Pokeballs and potions. Pokestops are usually located at places of historical interest or houses of worship. There are also Pokemon gyms which serve as battle locations for virtual duels.
