Some residents in St. Clair Shores want Pokemon Go to go away because it's made a local park a virtual hot spot.
The issue of the big crowds at Wahby Park became the topic of Monday night’s city council meeting in St. Clair Shores.
Nearly a dozen residents spoke at the meeting, voicing their concerns about trespassing, parking, and players staying at the park too late.
"From the time you get up in the morning until you run them out, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 in the morning they're there, they're on your property, you're afraid to go to sleep,” said Eddie Parks who lives next door to the park.
He said Pokemon players have trespassed onto his property, ruined flower beds and run into mailboxes.
"If I knew this was coming, I would have sold my house before it got there because it's so bad,” said Parks.
The park is busy. Dozens of people were walking around playing the game as our 7 Action News cameras were rolling. St. Clair Shores police even came out after dark, to make sure people left.
City leaders said they are doing what they can. They’ve increased signage with park hours, added barricades to the private street nearby and they’ve requested more police presence.
They’ve even contacted Nintendo, but they haven’t heard anything back yet.
Pokemon Go players said they are using a public park.
"For the majority of the mass populace that comes here to play Pokemon, they're here to have fun and enjoy nature and meet cool people, they're not trying to trespass on anyone,” said player, Deric Schaub.
Schaub said it’s unfortunate that there are some players disturbing the neighbors.
"You know you're going to have one in the bunch that makes a mess for everyone else,” said Schaub.
Parks said he isn’t against the game, as long as the players follow the rules.
"It's all about upholding the law, stay where you're supposed to be, respect us, we respect you right back,” said Parks.
City leaders said they will be adding more snow fencing for now, they want to wait and see if the fad sticks around before talking more about spending money on more permanent fencing.
