Children of the 90s everywhere are rejoicing in a recently released game called Pokémon GO by Niantic, Inc. The game is for smartphones only and is basically Pokémon meets geo-caching. The object, as I understand it, is to find Pokémon “in the real world” by walking around holding your smartphone out in front of you and following a real-time interactive map that shows you where your quarry is hiding. Once you physically get to that location, you can “capture” the critter, after which you can train it, fight it and all the wonderful things one can do with a Pokémon. Already a week old, the game is taking off like wildfire. As with anything else, it has its plusses and minuses. Here, then, are the pleasures, perils and pitfalls of Pokémon hunting.I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a child of the 80s. For me, it was all about the music. Not to mention that when it comes to video games, unless they are the epitome of simple, I lack the basic eye-hand coordination to do anything but amuse anyone who happens to be watching my feeble attempts at playing. So, not only was Pokémon not my jam, I suck at these games. ‘Nuff said about my lack of skillz. Here’s how I learned about Pokémon GO.Picture it: Sunday morning, nice and sunny. I’m sitting in my studio playing with my cat as I usually do every morning. The windows are open as it had been a particularly nice night. I look out and see two men, roughly mid-20s, walking around with their smartphones as though they were reading a map. Mind you, there are 167 units in my apartment complex so I don’t know every single one of my neighbors by sight. One of the men stops in front of my home (single-story ranch-style building) and says to his companion, “I just found one right here!”Back to me. I am, by nature, a suspicious creature. I have also been through law school, which will make even the most trusting soul a little bit suspicious. My first thought was, “These guys are looking for Wi-Fi networks to hack.” That thought was followed with relief because mine is password protected. The relief was followed by the realization that password protection means about as much to an experienced hacker as “Please don’t eat me!” means to a hungry grizzly bear.So, being the suspicious creature that I am, I called the non-emergency number to our local police department. The kind gentleman officer asked how he could help me. I told him I wanted to report some suspicious activity, gave him my address and a description, both of the two gentlemen and their activity. What happened next made my day. Seriously.The kind gentleman officer started to laugh. My initial, internal, response was, “What the #@%&!?” Then he explained, still chuckling, that they were playing Pokémon GO. After I asked him to clarify (and he did), I started laughing so hard I’m surprised he didn’t send a cruiser equipped with a straight-jacket to my home. We had a good laugh and hung up. That day, I counted six teams (a total of eight people) patrolling the parking lot of my apartment complex hunting Pokémon. I even talked to a couple of them, who assured me it was the most addictive thing ever, as well as a great way to get exercise. Imagine! A video game that requires players to walk around outside!

The admittedly cool map. Image courtesy of www.theverge.com.

Speaking of damage, personal injuries are on the rise among Pokémon GO players, too. They’re so engrossed in following the (admittedly cool) map that they fail to see reality until it’s too late. Said one Reddit user:“Not even 30 minutes after the release last night, I slipped and fell down a ditch. Fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in my foot, 6-8 weeks for recovery. I told all the doctors I was walking my dog lol... Watch where you're going, folks!”And it gets ever stranger, worse and more potentially dangerous. Players have reported minor (so far) incidents while Pokémon hunting behind the wheel of the car they’re driving. Yes, hunting while driving!So, there you have it: the pleasures, perils and pitfalls of Pokémon hunting. I’m all for video games (despite an apparent genetic inability to play them) and getting outside, etc. But, for the love of all that’s sane, folks, please be careful out there! Pay attention to your surroundings and DON’T hunt while driving! While I’m sure there are some cool Pokémon roaming your local county jail, I’m also pretty sure that you won’t be allowed to have your smartphone with you to capture them.Think I’m kidding? The Darwin Police Station in Northern Australia issued the following statement to eager Pokémon hunters who were trying to enter the station to capture Pokémon:“For those budding Pokémon Trainers out there using Pokémon Go — whilst the Darwin Police Station may feature as a Pokéstop, please be advised that you don't actually have to step inside in order to gain the Pokéballs. It's also a good idea to look up, away from your phone and both ways before crossing the street. That Sandshrew isn't going anywhere fast. Stay safe and catch 'em all!”Sources:

Armed robbers used Pokémon Go to target victims in Missouri

Wyoming teen stumbles on dead body while playing Pokémon Go

Pokemon Go’s unexpected side effect: injuries

Pokémon Go sends players to police station, police say don’t come in