Local organizations stress safety around Pokmon GO craze

UPDATE: 6:19 p.m.

People across the valley have come to Palm Desert’s Civic Center Park to test their hand at “Pokemon Go.”

“There’s I think I counted maybe 14 to 15 Pokestops in this park.”

This includes Edward Lanning, an Army veteran who travels every so often to come catch them all.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Lanning said. “It gets me out of my house and walking around [and] meet new people.”

But recently, Lanning said he’s had close calls after having close encounters with the pocket monsters.

“Someone almost hit me while I was walking,” Lanning said. “They were playing and they started swerving into me.”

While it has caught the attention of many across the nation, recent examples of crime and accidents related to the game has prompted local safety groups like Christopher’s Clubhouse to take action.

“The great thing about it is that it can bring people together in a location so people can get to meet each other, and talk and have a good time,” Christopher’s Clubhouse Instructor Trainer Cameron Moulton said. “The downside to that is criminals or child predators could have an opportunity to lure people into locations. And if they are by themselves, and not paying attention to their surroundings, they’re vulnerable.”

Organizations like Christopher’s Clubhouse and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department have gone to Facebook to offer tips to make sure you stay safe, while you try to “catch ’em all.”

“I think the more people that post about this and say, ‘Hey, be safe.’ Maybe it will make somebody listen,” Christopher’s Clubhouse Founding Director Mika Moulton said. “We need people to listen and understand. We’re not saying don’t play the game, we’re saying play it safely. And think about what you’re doing before you do it.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department released this statement regarding the rise in popularity in “Pokemon Go”:

“As this game begins to unfold and more and more participants play, we understand large public areas sometimes become locations which draw players there. The Palm Desert Police has not seen a rise in incidences, but is asking people to play responsibly. The Palm Desert Police is encouraging people to be conscious of public hours within park facilities, malls, and other locations players might be drawn to. Police officers are remaining vigilant when patrolling possible high traffic areas and our efforts include the encouraging the public to play the game safely.”

Deputies also posted tips to their Facebook page. To see the tips, click on the link in the original version of this article.

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ORIGINAL STORY: 3:13 p.m.

People of all ages are going crazy for the new popular mobile game, Pokmon GO. But some local organizations are getting out there to provide tips to players due to safety concerns surrounding the app.

Zak Dahlheimer was at Civic Center Park on Friday as it has become a very popular place to, ‘Catch ’em all’. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department recently posted safety tips on Facebook.

He speaks to local authorities and Christopher’s Clubhouse to see how child safety organizations are teaming up to make sure the community stays safe while having a fun time.

Watch the full report on KESQ at 5 p.m. and CBS Local 2 at 6 p.m.