It seems uncommon, but they have done this in the past. Obviously, that can be bad if, say, the school moves/closes and a park moves in.
I wish more of their “scorched Earth” takes had a timer cooldown.
Just thought of 1 “understandable” reason is time taken. Does it take longer to geo-fence than removing once reported several times.
We would only be guessing, would be nice if someone who knows could confirm…
The next question would then be “Is the time taken worth it to stop annoying the people that are trying to correct your data?” 
Assuming that Niantic staff have already taken action against wayspots in invalid it does seem to be a logical step to geoblock the location.
This is trying to avoid players to go close to the school correct?
Is this really that big of a problem in the US? I mean im really sadden to read this. I get it but is just sad.
This is a world wide criteria.
remember criteria states that you should be able to walk up to the waypoint, a game should not be encouraging anybody that shouldn’t be on school property to go on to school property anywhere in the world.
They then add the usual “including the boundary” for safe measure.
https://community.wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/t/private-residences-farmland-k-12
One quick thing this might be because they’re on the side of the road and it’s easier for folks to stand outside the areas, especially if there’s games or kids.
Not everything is abuse.
While I appreciate that not everything is abuse…
The spots were on the school grounds, it doesn’t matter how close they are to the road. It’s not allowed.
After I reported them the first time, 2 of them were back within a week. The individual was attempting to get a stop approved on the road, and would likely have succeeded given the voting that was happening in the area.
Am I positive it was abuse? No. Would I be absolutely shocked if it wasn’t? Yes.
In either case, the team looked at it and did what they felt was necessary.
Hi @Glawhantojar , thanks for the report. We have retired the Wayspots and taken appropriate action against the submitter as per our policies.
Thanks for helping us maintain the quality of the Niantic Wayspots.
Regards,
Could you comment on the suggestion to geo-fence these areas once they have been reported and agreed?
I will pass on the suggestion to our concerned team.
Firstly, I am not from the US. Most areas around the world will have a boundary around School Property.
This does not change the Niantic Criteria that states that waypoints are not eligible on School Grounds.
If you can prove the areas are not school property just areas that are shared by the school and the rest of the community then you may have a case.
You don’t need to try and convince me, I will not be voting in your area. This will be mostly people from your area who will be aware of the local situation and they will make the decision.
You have to think, would the school be happy if 100 noisy Pokemon Go players turned up during school hours to do a Gigantamax Battle?
It doesn’t matter if you convince us the school areas are open to the public. There is a rule that there cannot be Wayspots in these locations:
https://niantic.helpshift.com/hc/en/21-wayfarer/faq/2774-rejection-criteria/?l=en&p=web
Our city does install public parks adjacent to schools, and the park areas are eligible. If you have evidence that the amenities are public and not part of the school property, they could be submitted.
In the same way that I just provided information.
It is black and white, Niantic Criteria states that waypoints are not allowed on School Property. If any are reported with evidence that they are on School Property they would be removed.
It is black and white, what you describe doesnt sound eligible, and if reported would probably get removed. (Just saw slimboy said the same thing but keeping this here just to reiterate).