LAFAYETTE – A strip mall in Lafayette has requested the Pokemon Go company to remove “Pokestops” around their locations.

According to a KATC report, Parc Lafayette sent a request to Niantic to remove the virtual stops due to safety concerns.

In the letter sent to Niantic, Parc Lafayette cites increased garbage around the location, damage to property, Pokemon Go players driving while playing the app as well as an incident where a SWAT team had to enter the center.

KATC reports that the Pokestops were removed Wednesday night with the app’s most recent update.

Parc Lafayette released this statement to Pokemon Go players:

"Dear Pokemon Players,
The Parc Lafayette Management Team made the decision to request that the Pokestops be removed from the premises for a number of reasons. Although it was initially perceived as an added benefit for the businesses in the center, a growing concern for the safety of our patrons and tenants outweighed those benefits. Other factors that led to this decision were:

• -Increased bouts of litter and garbage around the premises such as cartons of eggs, bottles, broken glass, and cigarette butts
• -Damage to property and landscaping
• Reports of players riding on top of vehicles on premises while using the application
• -Users driving and playing the application simultaneously
• -Non-customers utilizing prime parking spaces that are meant for shoppers
• -A situation that resulted in local authorities (swat team) having to visit the center
• -Issues with individuals disrespecting the statues and monuments with dirt, debris, footprints, mud, and putting cigarettes out on them
• -Bringing in off-site containers of alcohol for use on the premises

Unfortunately, these issues pose serious concerns for hazards, liability, and safety for those in the center. We recognize that not all users of the Pokemon Go application participated in the above-mentioned issues. We sincerely thank each individual that reached out to us to help resolve these concerns, especially those that helped pick up garbage, clean up the premises, and encouraged others to follow suit.

Please keep in mind that this decision was not made by any individual business, store, or restaurant in the Shopping Center. We welcome the Lafayette community to continue to enjoy the amenities provided by Parc Lafayette. Not everyone will agree with this decision, but we hope that after reading this post you understand our position.
Sincerely,
Parc Lafayette Management"