Young adults, teens, and children around the country have caught Pokemon fever. And the latest mobile game featuring digital creatures has made its way into small town Iowa.
In Pella, dozens of participants of the Pokemon Go mobile game released last week can be seen walking in Central Park and at Central College throughout the day late into early morning hours.
The app allows users to catch virtual Pokemon, or “Pocket Monsters” using GPS technology on smartphones. Calvin Van Donselaar of Pella has been playing since Pokemon Go launched last week, and has noticed the strong community aspect surrounding players.
“People come up and we talk about it, introduce ourselves, and then we go take over a gym or something and have fun together,” he says.
Van Donselaar says there are features that allow more Pokemon to pop up in game–which gets players moving to those specific locations.
“I set up a ‘double lure’ to attract a lot of Pokemon,” he told KNIA/KRLS last night. “I was the only one when I set it up and right now as I look around there are about 20 to 25 people here.”
He also says he’s had officers from the Pella PD check on his group that plays late night in downtown, and even participate.
Law enforcement reminds everyone who plays the mobile game to pay full attention to their surroundings, not to play the game while driving, avoid dangerous situations with strangers, and not to enter the road as a pedestrian for any game-related reason.