Soldiers, families: Go Pokémon ... safely!

FORT SILL, Okla., July 21, 2016 -- It's one of those ideas that has people either for it (avidly) or against it (vehemently.) Pokémon Go, the latest smart phone app that has people searching for mythical "pocket monsters" all over the countryside, has inspired outdoor exercise and family recreation, as well as solitary drone-like bonding to a phone screen.

Because hot spots are generated by the app based on GPS information, the game poses another security concern on military installations, as well as safety issues for players. But to understand the allure, let's see why the game is so popular among people of all ages.

One, you've got a generation of youngsters that began playing the Pokémon card and console games when they were in kindergarten, in some cases. They already know the lingo, the names of the inventive creatures, and many of the rules. Two, you've got smart phones which have become indispensable body appendages. And three, you've got an interactive game chock full of challenges that are as simple as collecting as many Pokémon as you can in your Pokédex (think of it as a zoo), to as complex as "owning" gyms in which Pokémon fight for dominance, all the while collecting points, candy, stardust and other enticing prizes. The Pokémon can also evolve into higher beings. It's all very complicated and jargony, and for many, that is part of the appeal.

I met two young Fort Sill aficionados and their mother one morning at Elmer Thomas Park. Nathan Cook, 16, and brother Joshua, 13, have been Pokémon fans for many years. Their mother Traci, wife of Col. Nathan Cook II, 75th Field Artillery Brigade commander, said it's a great way to bond as a family.

Nathan said you can do a variety of things with the pocket monsters. "You can just collect them and show them off. Some people keep them as pets, some people battle them, some people show them in Pokémon shows. It's like a dog show but with dragons."

Cameron University's Alumni Association saw the new game as an opportunity to generate a buzz on campus, said Maurissa Buchwald, director of development and alumni relations. They hosted a Pokémon Party, July 15. Word spread quickly through social media, and an estimated 400 people came to play.

Unfortunately the app doesn't know that some places should be off-limits. And that is why the game can be a security concern on a military installation, where gamers may attempt unauthorized entry, or pay too much attention to their phones while driving.

There have been reports in other areas about people setting up lures then robbing or attacking the players, so gamers are advised to travel in groups with people they know and trust, especially if they're out after dark.