Pokemon Go at Riverscape

Officers from the Dayton Police Department and Five Rivers MetroParks Rangers are teaming up to hold a Pokémon Go event at RiverScape MetroPark (237 E. Monument Ave.) on Thursday, August 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.

 

Admission is free and open to Pokémon Go players of all experience levels. Lures will be dropped, so there should be plenty of Pokémon fun for everyone.

The Pokémon Go game exploded in popularity nationwide in the past couple of months, with people from all walks of life playing the smartphone-based challenge. RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton is a hot spot for finding the virtual game creatures. 

Central Patrol Operations Division Commander Major Wendy Stiver hopes the event serves as an opportunity to meet and connect with citizens and downtown visitors.

 

"This allows us to reach out to a unique group whom we might miss with some of our other programming," Major Stiver said. "Many Pokemon Go players are folks in their 20's and 30's who grew up playing Pokémon and have positive memories associated with the game, and we hope to make new memories with them."

Also appearing at the Pokémon Go event will be the Dayton Police Department ice cream truck. A squadron vehicle has temporarily switched gears, allowing officers to hand out sweet treats. The ice cream truck is another way officers can interact with youth in the community, by talking over a dish of ice cream. DPD hopes to have the ice cream truck on 'patrol' or at a community event once a week through October 31.