Pokémon Go or Pokémon Go Away?

     Although it may seem like old news, Pokémon Go is still making headlines nearly a month after its release and subsequent success. Of these headlines, it is rather hard to determine whether or not the game is doing more good than harm. On the one hand, it allows players to get up and move around while gaming, yet on the other hand, it opens players, civilians, and homeowners up to new threats.
 
     Among the most shocking of headlines and stories exist players being lured into a mugging ambush disguised a pokéstop, bodycam footage of a Pokémon Go-playing driver crashing into a police car and a teenager even being killed for trespassing into a man’s home. More positively, however, there have been instances in which the game has actually helped to prevent crime. For example, dnainfo.com reported an instance in Chicago where two young adults witnessed the start of a school break-in while they were playing the game at midnight on the school grounds. They immediately called the police and the burglar was arrested at the school.
 
     What is important, though, is its relevance to homeowners. With all of these circumstances, it is important to keep in mind the possibilities that the game presents. Whether it be someone near your property truly attempting to catch a Pokémon, or someone using it as an excuse to get near your house, it is crucial to recognize the potential threats that accompany the game. Most importantly, an unexpected byproduct of the game’s viral success is the fact that everyone knows about it. This means that thieves can be near your house while pretending to play the game and neighbors may instantly categorize them as harmless. With that said, if you are going to be away from your house, just make sure to set your alarm as the neighborhood watch might be less keen than before the game’s release!