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Michael Chapnick Authors Article in Today’s Daily Business Review: For Many Condo Communities, Pokemon Go Quickly Becoming Pokemon No

Siegfried Rivera
August 18, 2016

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Firm partner Michael E. Chapnick authored a guest column that appeared in today’s edition of the Daily Business Review, South Florida’s only business daily and official court newspaper.  The article, which was titled “For Many Condo Communities, Pokemon Go Quickly Becoming Pokemon No,” discusses some of the security, safety and nuisance issues that are arising as a result of the popular new game app for smartphones.  Michael’s article reads:

The issues arise both from nonresidents who are pursuing these animated characters and feel compelled to enter a property as well as from residents and their guests who are gallivanting through the hallways and common areas at all hours in their never-ending search for more Pokemon.

While some association complexes feature a manned security gate at the main entrance, many do not and visitors are able to drive onto a property without restriction. The game does remind players to be aware of their surroundings and not to trespass, but it also encourages them to visit new locations. Some players are now simply driving up to condominium entrances and trying to see if they could perhaps even park and walk around to check for any nearby Pikachu, one of the characters. Needless to say, this creates significant security and liability issues for properties.

dbr logo-thumb-400x76-51605In addition, the hallways, pool decks and other common areas that are accessible to residents and their guests around the clock are quickly becoming gathering grounds for the players of the game, which features “lure modules” and virtual gyms to encourage them to meet and wage battles with their Pokemon. These aspects of the game lead to players congregating at all hours, which is causing significant nuisances and safety concerns for some communities’ residents and staff.

Michael’s article concludes:

While sweeping changes to association rules may be unnecessary, many boards of directors are now considering appropriate measures and precautions. One of the best starting points may simply be a bulletin to all of the owners, residents and staff reminding them that excessive noise in any of the common areas — including from Pokemon Go players — creates nuisances that are in violation of association rules. The notice should remind owners and residents to immediately contact building management or security if any such nuisances arise so that immediate action may be taken to address it.

Management, security and valet staff should also be consulted regarding board concerns and the implementation of any new policies and procedures to address them. This will need to include added vigilance for nonresident players attempting to infiltrate the property as well as for residents and their guests creating disturbances while they are playing. Other options may include closing lobbies and some other common areas during nighttime and increased surveillance by onsite staff.

For properties with many Pokemon Go players, boards and management may even wish to consider establishing weekly or daily times for them to use the clubhouse, lobby or other public area to meet and play. This would go far toward generating goodwill with the game’s aficionados and helping to ensure that they do not feel alienated by any new measures restricting their ability to congregate to play it in the common areas at night.

Our firm congratulates Michael for sharing his insights into the issues for associations that are being created by this new augmented-reality game.  Click here to read the complete article in the newspaper’s website (registration required).