New Pokemon App Raises Some Safety Concerns

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A new Pokemon app is bringing back the 90s video game.

Amy Yensi reports the game's popularity could also bring safety concerns.

The app fuses fantasy and reality in a virtual scavenger hunt. Now authorities are urging players to be careful.

"You just basically have to walk around until you see a Pokemon," said one player.

All across Maryland, people walked the streets with their eyes glued to their cell phones.

"I've been playing since Wednesday, the day it came out," said Alex Furman. "I've been out til about midnight every night."

Pokemon Go has been downloaded on millions of smart phones since debuting last week. The game is inspired by the original video game launched in 1996 in which you catch, train and battle Pokemon. The app version lets players use GPS to find characters from the game hidden in our world.

The app will take you all over the place but public spaces and landmarks are a hot spot for these virtual creatures.

For some, it's motivation to get off the couch.

"Overall it's pretty interesting in terms of getting people outside to walk," said Aaron Krug.

The game is so popular, you can hire Pokemon Go chauffeurs on Craigslist---but hunting down Pikachu has had its own problems.

"I was walking and I wasn't paying as much attention as I should've been," said Paul Morris.

Missouri police arrested three men for armed robbery. The suspects are accused of using the app to target victims.

Baltimore police are warning players to avoid going anywhere alone, stay out of secluded and private areas, never play while driving and to report any suspicious activity.

"You just have to keep following the map not to fall into a weird neighborhood you don't understand," said Charles Lwin.

An effort to keep crime out of the fun and games.

WJZ reached out to Baltimore City and County police. So far, there are no reported incidents connected to the Pokemon Go app.

Since being released, the app has already taken over the number one spot on Google Play and Apple's app store.