St. Clair Shores pushes back after 'Pokemon Go' takes over park

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (WJBK) - St. Clair Shores pushes back after 'Pokemon Go' takes over park

It is the craze that won't go away. There's no doubt this summer belongs to 'Pokemon Go.'

But we've seen how the game's popularity can cause problems, which is happening in St. Clair Shores where one park has been taken over by Pokemon players.

At Wahby Park the quest to find Pokemon should technically come at dusk. But even at night some come here in a quest to catch a Pokemon and that has residents, police and city council taking action to put a stop to it.

The game isn't a month old but police in St. Clair Shores are averaging over one call a day to Wahby Park issuing 15 tickets for violating park hours all related to this game.

"They come every night when it gets dark and they ask people to leave," said Jackyn Baker, of Clinton Township.

Resident Scott Dodich has placed more than one of those calls to police.

"The trespassing, the noise, the constant traffic, parking in front of the house," he said.

Yet the Pokemon Go players come back.

"During the day it's fine, it's wonderful, great people and not a lot of congestion," he said. "After dinner you get a different crowd that comes through. More adults and you get problems."

"I sympathize with the residents," said player Lauren Casey. "But it's just a few bad apples that are ruining it for the rest of us."

FOX 2 watched hundreds parade around the park playing the game on their phones. When it comes to playing Pokemon go at Wahby park there is a lot to do in a little space.
 
The program uses Google Earth, and looks for landmarks to make Pokestops. Memorial trees fit the bill so there are seven in the four-acre park which make this a mecca of sorts for players.

"One of my friends told me there was a lot of Pokestops and things to catch out here," said Baker said. "So we came here and have come back every day since."

The city council has taken notice at the request of those like Dodich, who live right next to the park.

"We paid for the signs to get some sort of relief of traffic flow," said Dodich of new signs "Private Road Residents and Guests Parking Only"

But Dodich says this game and its players go too far when they leave the park and walk on his property.

"Last night my wife had what appeared to be a nervous breakdown," he said.

He and his neighbors went before St. Clair Shores city council asking for help. And so did a Pokemon player.

"It's not just us trying to annoy people and ruin other people's day," said Casey. "We're just having fun and go to new places."

The city council said they plan to put up a snow fence to keep people from trespassing. They are also looking into hiring a security guard to keep people out after dark.

City leaders also reached out to the makers of the game to try and get rid of some Pokestops they are still waiting for a response.