Pokemon no-Go: Popular game may face a ban in Colonie

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -Over the years, The Crossings Park of Colonie has become a popular spot for Pokemon Go players. The Colonie Pokemon Go Discord server admin, Spencer Moon, told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski that Town officials want to remove the mobile game from the park.

"I spoke to Tom Breslin, who is the Parks and Rec coordinator, and he confirmed the rumors," stated Moon. He adds that confirmation from Tom Breslin was vague and did not explain how the Town planned to remove Pokemon from The Crossings.

NEWS10 reached out to Town Supervisor, Peter Crummey, and Breslin responded on his behalf regarding an inquiry about a large organized gaming group. The statement is below:

"I have been asked by our Town Supervisor to present the facts regarding the Pokemon Go organization demanding to use the Town’s Crossings Park for their organized gaming pursuits.  I recently spoke with an individual who identified himself as a regional coordinator for this large organized gaming group.  I let him know that the Crossings Park is a passive park and such organized gaming pursuits are beyond passive.  Nonetheless, I offered the use of two of our other fabulous parks that could be available this year including, the Town’s Mohawk River Park and the Town’s Schuyler Flatts Park.  Both locations enjoy paved areas and roads which are handicap accessible.  The individual thanked me for my information and I have never heard from him again."

The term passive park is typically used to describe a public park that does not host organized or competitive events and does not do permits for non-municipal activities. There's a sign at Schuyler Flatts that says, "Special permits required for picnics and outings."

Moon said that members of his Discord server have never reached out to Parks and Rec to organize gaming pursuits. "Most aspects of the game, such as catching Pokémon or spinning Pokéstops, those can be done individually or in small groups. The times we do have bigger crowds are in raid events." Up to 40 players can join certain raids all at once.

When NEWS10 asked Niantic, the developer of the app, how a potential ban would work, they said, "Administrators of public parks, or other authorized personnel, may use this form to request hours of operation be added to limit Pokéstop or Gym functionality."

The Town of Colonie has been asked repeatedly by NEWS10 if there is a proposed ban on Pokemon Go for solo or group play. As of this report, the only response is Breslin's statement above.

Moon created a Change.org petition asking the Town to not remove the game from The Crossings. It's received more than 600 signatures in six days.