MILTON — Pokemon Go has players nationwide, including Santa Rosa County.
And here, as is the case globally, the game brings more than fun. It promotes exercise, brings communities closer together and raises safety concerns.
‘BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER’
Unlike other multiple-player online games, Pokemon Go requires players to physically go to certain locations, whether to visit Poke Stops, capture Pokemon or battle.
Because of this, the game has literally brought people together.
Stormy Morris said she enjoys the required exercise, and finding new things.
Her friend, Azrael Sunday said, “It seems like it’s bringing the community together in one location. It’s also helping the downtown area become more populated.”
A Poke Stop is a place where trainers — players — can acquire useful game items. Stops are often located at public places, like the Santa Rosa County courthouse or the Milton Riverwalk. Some businesses are also included.
The Loot Castle, located at 5764 Stewart St., is a collectibles, video game and movie shop; and, since Pokemon Go’s July 6 launch day, it’s a Poke Stop.
While owner Rick Ferrell said being a Poke Stop hasn’t generated significant income, he plays the game and announces on the business’ Facebook page when he launches lures, an in-game item used to attract Pokemon to the player, thereby bringing players to his store.
Boomerang Pizza Kitchen, located at 5227 Willing St., is not a Poke Stop, according to employee Zack Hebner, but he said the restaurant sits between two of them, and players have come in hunting for Pokemon.
Deb Becker, owner of Boomerang, said she couldn’t put a number on it, but players have come in, smelled pizza, and spent money.
“What a great thing for retail and getting people outside,” she said. She said she may download the game to see what it’s all about.
PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS
Despite all the fun, safety concerns abound.
For instance, Poke Stops on Naval Air Station Whiting Field have caused problems for the base, according to Whiting Field Public Information Officer Jay Cope.
In a press release, Cope said, as a military installation, taking photographs on base without proper authorization, entering the base illegally, or stopping a vehicle in the roadway to use the application interferes with standard base operations and could be met with disciplinary action.
In addition, law enforcement officers have had to field extra calls regarding the game, according to Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Rich Aloy.
“We have gotten many calls … individuals trespassing, wandering around, wandering into traffic, people being in places where they normally don't belong,” he said.
That can confuse senior citizens, and others unfamiliar with the phenomenon that’s sent unusual crowds to public — and even private — places.
“(Some callers are) older folks in the county that don’t know about the app and all of a sudden see kids walking around,” Aloy said.
What does he think about the game?
“It’s got pros and cons,” Aloy said. “It’s a fun game. I downloaded it just to see what it's all about. It's interesting, very interactive. I like that it gets kids out of the chair and makes them physical.
“From a safety standpoint, there are two issues: (players) wandering into traffic, not paying attention to their surroundings, and the second is, people can set you up for crime. We’ve seen that nationally.”
Just be careful, Aloy said.
“Don't trespass just because you see Pokemon on the other side of a fence,” he said. “Don't do this and drive.”
ABOUT POKEMON
Lost in the lingo of Pokemon Go? This glossary should help:
●Pokemon: name for the Nintendo game released in 1996 and the creatures within it, a shorter form of the original name, Pocket Monsters.
●Pokemon Go: like the games before it, Pokemon Go’s objective is to collect every Pokemon, train them, and battle them against other players.
Previous games were only available on Nintendo gaming systems; this one is an application for smart-phones.
The major differences are the game uses real-life maps, and players have to physically move to find Pokemon.
●Trainer: A Pokemon Go player
●Poke Ball: Trainers use these to capture Pokemon. In Pokemon Go, trainers toss the balls by swiping upward on their smart-phone screens.
●Poke Stop: areas where trainers can find useful items. In Pokemon Go, Poke Stops are often real-life businesses, public buildings and landmarks.
●Gym: where trainers can battle Pokemon against rival teams or train against allies.
●Lure: Trainers can purchase lures to attract Pokemon for a limited time. Some businesses that are Poke Stops use lures to bring players to their establishments.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pokemon Go so far has surpassed 15 million downloads, between Android and Apple devices, since its launch two weeks ago, according to USA Today.
Sensor Tower, a company providing data on mobile device applications, stated, “the average iPhone user spent 33 minutes in Pokemon Go on Monday, July 11, more time than in any of the other apps analyzed — even Facebook.”
Google searches for Pokemon Go started outpacing searches for the word “porn” July 10, and have been steadily on top since, according to www.google.co.uk/trends.
DID YOU KNOW?
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa County catches Pokemon Go fever