At least one military base is warning service members against the dangers of wandering into unauthorized areas while chasing Pokemon.
"Since Pokemon Go hit last week there have been reports of serious injuries and accidents of people driving or walking while looking at the app and chasing after the virtual Pokemon," says the message posted this morning to the Joint Base Lewis McChord official Facebook page. "Do not chase Pokemon into controlled or restricted areas, office buildings, or homes on base."
The wildly popular iPhone and Android app, "Pokemon Go," leads players on a real world chase via their phone's GPS system and camera, through which they can "catch" virtual Pokemon that appear around the player within the app. At least one player has reportedly stumbled on a dead body while playing the game, according to news accounts, while others have been lured into corners and robbed, other sources have reported..
Lewis-McChord officials said the notice was a precaution and that there have been no reports of problems on the base caused by service members, families or employees playing the game.
"We talked about it here this morning with our director of emergency services, and said, as a precaution, let's just tell people right away 'do not be using the app to follow Pokemon creatures into restricted areas on base or controlled areas,'" said Joseph Piek, a JBLM spokesman. "We're not saying don't play -- but we are saying there's certain areas, don't chase the Pokemon there, you'll just have to leave them be."
Officials with the Defense Department said they have no plans to issue military-wide Pokemon guidance or rules for playing the game within or around the Pentagon.
"Our personnel are well informed on the restrictions regarding restricted areas, regardless of if they're chasing Pokemon or otherwise," they said.
JBLM is home to the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Special Forces Group as well as the Army's I Corps and the Air Force's 62d Airlift Wing.
-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @amybushatz.
