Seeing increased suspicious activity in your community?

People roaming around your front yard at all hours of the day and night with their cell phone in tow? Have you seen carloads of adults and kids pulling over, getting out, and scattering in your neighborhood?

Don’t be alarmed, it likely isn’t burglars casing your home or a zombie apocalypse. This suspicious activity is probably coming from the the new latest cell phone game craze called Pokémon Go, a game that turns peoples phones into a camera on a parallel universe in search for an imaginary creature.

This new app has taken America by storm with over 60% of people who download it, using it every day.  This game was released less than a week ago already ranks among the most downloaded and top-grossing Smartphone apps out there. Americans of all ages find themselves chasing the creatures through neighborhoods, yards, cities, and rural areas by using the GPS on their cell phone that is connected to the app. The goal is to find as many Pokémon’s as you can.

This gaming craze has created stories and news all over the U.S.  It’s even impacting HOA’s and homeowner association management companies. Homeowners are calling in concerned about the activity they are seeing go on in the community. After further, research community managers and board members have found the activity was not dangerous, but rather it was people out on the hunt for Pokémon.

What do we suggest?

  • As always, we encourage you to stay safe out there. If you are chasing Pokémon in your community, be aware of your neighbors and your surroundings.
  • Keep a heads-up for those who may not be paying attention.
  • Send an email: let your homeowners know what they may be witnessing and remind them of the association’s safety guidelines.
  • If you are in doubt about suspicious activity, a call to the police is always a safe bet.

If you are participating in the craze, then be safe and happy chasing!