Winona weighs banning Pokémon Go in vets park

Published 9:32 am Tuesday, August 2, 2016

WINONA — Winona officials have rejected a proposal that would have banned electronic games in Veterans Memorial Park, where a heated confrontation with Pokémon Go players was recently captured on video.

The video taken Thursday shows a Vietnam veteran angry at the players cursing and overturning a portable picnic awning. According to a press release,  the man was cited for two misdemeanors.

The Winona City Council on Monday evening considered an ordinance that would have prohibited playing electronic games at the site. But the panel approved a heavily amended version that doesn’t mention the game. It does ban other recreational activities such as putting up hammocks or tents.

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Council member Gerry Krage, a military veteran, said the group recognized that enforcing an ordinance regarding Pokémon Go would burden police.

The ordinance will return to the City Council for final approval.