Truro News

Pokemon Go users warned after ‘occurrence­s’ on bases

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The Canadian Armed Forces are warning Pokemon Go players – in and out of uniform – not to search for Pokemon on military property.

A spokespers­on said military police have reported “Pokemon Go occurrence­s” at three bases – CFB Borden and 22 Wing North Bay in Ontario, and 14 Wing Greenwood in Nova Scotia – within the first week of the game’s release.

“In the interests of public safety, Pokemon Go players must refrain from attempting to access defence establishm­ents without authorizat­ion for the purpose of searching for Pokemon,” said a statement released by Natasha Leduc, assistant public affairs officer for CFB Halifax.

“A Pokemon Go player found on a defence installati­on who is not authorized to be there could face sanctions including a warning, a citation and fine, or arrest and prosecutio­n.”

The highly popular game sends players into the real world to search for the mythical digital pocket monsters known as Pokemon with their iPhones or Android devices. Players are encouraged to roam their city to visit so-called Pokestops to collect supplies and visit gyms to battle other players.

Pokemon characters have also been spotted in Canadian police stations and hospitals, prompting polite requests that players stay safe, alert and respectful of their surroundin­gs. Correction­s Canada, though, tweeted a warning that players refrain from hunting at Stony Mountain Institutio­n, a federal prison in Manitoba where players were apparently seen on the grounds.

At CFB Halifax, officials sent a memo noting the base “is appearing in the virtual world that is the global phenomena of Pokemon Go.

The memo tells all personnel they must show government ID before accessing the base, and cautions that duty officers will respond to “suspicious activity” including: wandering the base while staring at phones, hopping fences to get into controlled sites, or abandoning vehicles on the side of the road to gain access to the base.

“Remember that your actions while playing this game can look suspicious to others who are not aware of the phenomena and that just because someone is looking down at their phone and wandering the base this does not simply mean that they are playing this game,” it said. “If it looks suspicious, say something, or if you feel unsafe, contact the MPs or Duty Watch and report the activity.”

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