
With Pokémon GO now available in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and elsewhere with a workaround, plenty of eager fans are walking around a bit more than normal to catch 'mon. The idea that some are walking around grassy areas simply to catch grass-types isn't far-fetched - AR gaming makes us all behave unpredictably.
A particularly funny instance of the game clashing with the real world has emerged in Australia. The Darwin Police Station in Australia is apparently the location for Sandshrew in that area [Update, actually, it's a Pokéstop location], prompting people to awkwardly enter the building, capture the Pocket Monster and then make a strategic retreat. To the immense credit of Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services, it posted a good-willed status update on its Facebook page with some tips and safety reminders for Pokémon fans.

For those budding Pokémon Trainers out there using Pokémon Go - whilst the Darwin Police Station may feature as a Pokéstop, please be advised that you don't actually have to step inside in order to gain the Pokéballs.
It's also a good idea to look up, away from your phone and both ways before crossing the street. That Sandshrew isn't going anywhere fast.
Stay safe and catch 'em all!
Instances like this could be rather common as Trainers seek to fill up their Pokédex. It's worth remembering that safety and common sense should come first, even when trying to be the very best.
You can see our video man Alex catching some 'mon below, while also running his iPhone battery into the ground.
[source eurogamer.net, via facebook.com]
Comments 27
We all joked about this. I must say, to actually see this come true is kind of hilarious
Oh god this is amazing lol.
That is awesome!!! Definitely getting in on this game now. I love sandshrew and his tenacity!
No way that a police station is a Sandrews natural habitat.
@Porky perhaps it borrows in the grounds surrounding the facility? Lol still bad ass !
Damn, I live in Queensland, that's just too far for me to travel.
Those lucky Darwinians.
This is the #1 reason I've been looking forward to the game! I can't wait to hear more stories like this!
Oh boy. Just what wait until it is a prison.
Wouldn't be caught dead in the NT, too warm.
It seem officer jenny is hoarding pokemon
Pokémon GO is biggest example about how out-of-touch Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are. You see, by delaying the apk in a lot of regions and not going for a worldwide release, they ended up damaging their own official download numbers, because a lot of people (globally) already downloaded the .apk file through unnofficial apk mirrors even before their countries have a release date announced.
They never learn.
Huh, Police Station become favorite places ?
Well... everybody should do dance like this to celebrate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgie17Xg6pc
Get ready for Pokemon GO, GO, GO, GO.... XD
Just kidding.
Unfortunately my iPhone 5c can't handle it. 😩
It's a police station, so shouldn't it be full of Growlithe?
I look forward to reading more Pokemon GO stories like this.
This is just so, so, so, so brilliant and hilarious. There's a musallah very close to my house (it's a tiny, informal Muslim place of worship) which houses a Pokémon. I've never actually set foot in there as I usually attend other mosques. I couldn't have the face to make my first visit there an excuse to catch a Pokémon... that's too much. XD
The local Catholic Parish hall has one too.
I figured that The Pokémon Company wanted to get us on our knees, but I never expected it to be quite like this. XD
Welp, the user account system for Pokemon.com is down because of all the Pokemon GO traffic, so even though I have the app installed, I can't sign in.
I'm glad the police were understanding about this, rather then tell people to stay away from the building. Still, I see this becoming troublesome.
I really liked their response: friendly and funny
Pokémon go is available in the USA!!!!
@amishpyrate woohoo. Got my first pokemon and it's one of my favorite, Bulbasaur. And just found out there's a gym near my house. Too bad I have to go to bed to get up for work
Yep, my roommate just got it on his iPhone here in Iowa. Dude was giddy as a schoolgirl, freakin hilarious.
That is a truly great response. There's no way you'd get that tone from he police here.
This story is so positive! Love it
I don't get it people are saying it hasn't released in the us I just downloaded it from google play an hour ago but the servers are down now lol
@faint how is that possible I ran it fine on the samsung galaxy amp 2 (a 50$ phone)
@faint : Are you absolutely certain? I'm sure that all iPhones starting from the standard iPhone 5 model are compatible. Perhaps you may need to free up some space on your phone (so the app has a bit of breathing space).
My Samsung Galaxy S3 can run it. an iPhone 5 Should be able to.
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