Carson City Poke-Problems

The new Pokemon Go app for smartphones is getting gamers active, and some local companies are using it's surge in popularity to boost sales. However it is causing some issues in the Capitol City and the Sheriff's Office wants to remind players to stay safe.

Sergeant Scott McDaniel says deputies have responded to several Pokemon Go related calls this week, mostly because of concerns with private property. 

"Respect the rights of other people and their property," says Sgt. McDaniel, "and not get so engrossed in it, that they're not paying attention to what's going on around them."

Deputies recently responded to a home on Goni Road after a woman called, saying that two people had jumped into her backyard looking for virtual animals. McDaniel also says they have received calls from concerned residents, confusing Pokemon players with actual criminals.

"We're getting a call initially, it's an unknown," says McDaniel, "we don't know why there are people around the businesses we don't know if they're burglarizing or going to commit a crime or drug deal, or what's going on." Adding that the response takes resources away from other parts of the city.

"Stepping off a curb you can sprain an ankle, you can stumble into traffic," Sgt. McDaniel is also warning players, like the game says, to stay aware of your surroundings, "Don't chase a character. If one's bouncing across the street don't run after it. Same as when you were a kid, you didn't chase the bouncing ball."

Mark Samules uses his skateboard to quickly chase down Pokemon, but sticks to the Carson City sidewalks and pockets his phone when crossing the street.

"I definitely put the phone away when I'm crossing the street, you don't need to like I said, get ran over today. It's too nice of a day for that." says Samules.

Some players have taken to playing in the car, pulling over or having a passenger play for you. McDaniel says playing while driving is illegal and dangerous, and having a passenger play for you is still risky.

"That's still distracting, because you've got the passenger taking care of that, then he's talking to the driver..." says McDaniel, "And you're responding to it. So your thought process is switching from that driving to back to the attention of the passenger."

Roger Herrera walks around with a group of friends, visiting the game's "Pokestops" near the Capitol Building Wednesday afternoon.

"Just for safety, because I've heard news, like a dead body they found. People getting like robbed," says Herrera, "...it's just a game so, I don't want to be in trouble for a little game."

"Don't go into dark areas, don't go into places you ordinarily wouldn't" says McDaniel, "Stay within your neighborhood, where you're secure and know your friends and family that are around there."