WATCH: A Vancouver Island mom said the augmented reality phenomenon Pokemon Go has gone too far. Monica Martinez reports.
It seems everywhere you go, people are gathering to look for one thing.
“I am now up to 60 different Pokemon that I’ve caught,” said one Pokemon Go player in Victoria.
Pokemon Go was officially released in Canada on Sunday, sending swarms of people into strange spots, but some worry the game is also luring people into inappropriate places.
A Nanaimo mother said she doesn’t want a circus at her son’t memorial.
Jenny Latimer’s two year old son, Kevin, passed away in 2004. She is upset his memorial near a church is featured as a Pokestop in the game.
“I don’t want a bunch of people to show up because it’s not a place to be disrespected, it’s not a place where I want people playing games. It’s a place of peace and to preserve his memory in a good way, not preserve his memory in a video game,” she said.
The Nanaimo mother has emailed the company asking them to remove it but hopes game players will stay away.
“I don’t think cemeteries are appropriate. It’s a sacred ground, it’s to be respected.”
The game is causing problems in communities around the world.
Two teenagers were shot at in Florida while playing the game in their car. A homeowner mistook them for burglars and fired at their vehicle. Luckily, they got away uninjured.
In Delta, police say a 19-year-old woman arranged to meet a man she didn’t know at a park just before midnight. He made unwanted sexual advances. She was able to flee and the man is now in police custody.
The U.S. Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetary have requested people not play the game when they visit.
Victoria Police have had several complaints of Pokemon Go players congregating at the Pioneer Square cemetery after hours. One time there were about 40 people there after 1 a.m. looking for their next catch.
“We are encouraging people to respect private property and also respect people when they are trying to sleep at night and all the different various bylaws we have in place within parks and noise,” said Victoria Police Cst. Matt Rutherford.
It’s a word of caution for game players to stay alert while hunting.
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