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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Teenager sentenced to jail for freeway incidents ... Updated: Mayor Wheeler says he'll veto Patridge selection ... Medford teen drowns in Applegate Lake ... Teenager sentenced to jail for freeway incidents ... Updated: Mayor Wheeler says he'll veto Patridge selection ... Medford teen drowns in Applegate Lake ... MEDFORD Pokémon players get later park curfew Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 21, 2016 at 5:24 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 21, 2016 at 5:24 PM » Social News Alba Park has turned into a late-night hangout for Pokémon Go players who are often so intent on the video game that they're surprised and not terribly happy when closing time strikes at 10:30 p.m. On Thursday, Medford City Council took note of the surging interest in the Pokémon Go phenomenon and voted unanimously to keep Alba and Pear Blossom parks open until midnight. The decision, based on a motion by Councilor Kevin Stine, will help Pokémon players intent on checking in at the locations to get points. “Alba and Pear Blossom Park are popular for the game,” Stine said. In recent weeks, Medford police have been warning Pokémon players to leave parks at the required closing time. Deputy police Chief Brett Johnson said his department has received lots of calls for service. “Some of the concerns are about behavior,” he said. Pokémon players try to find their way from location to location as they stare at their phones, alarming some passersby who can't tell what's going on, Johnson said. He said some players get angry when told they must leave the park after 10:30. In the past, police have dealt with vandalism and other issues in parks during the night, though not related to Pokémon. Councilor Clay Bearnson said Pokémon players would be a helpful addition to the parks. “It would be a crime deterrent to have 40 people at night,” he said. The Pokémon app blends fictitious characters with real-life places, drawing people to places such as Alba Park to "catch" pocket monsters. The craze began with the July 6 release and is based on a card game and video games from the 1990s. Players search for "virtual" Pokémon figures that are seen through their phones by tracking down GPS locators randomly placed by the game. City Council wrestled with extending hours at the two parks, particularly because it wasn’t first discussed by the Parks and Recreation Commission, but in the end decided to weigh in on the side of Pokémon patrons. Councilors appeared amused at the Pokémon phenomenon. “This is a temporary response to what I’d hope would be a fad,” Councilor Daniel Bunn said. Mayor Gary Wheeler said, “I’m not going to play it.” After the council meeting Thursday afternoon, a number of people could be seen intently playing Pokémon in Alba Park. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Follow @@reporterdm Posted Jul. 21, 2016 at 5:24 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501