Hello,
I have been trying to remove or just move a Wayspot that is in a cemetery for the past few weeks to no avail. First I tried an in game removal request which was denied within 24 hrs, second I tried a removal request through the Pokemon go website which allowed me to write to a Niantic representative who told me I need they needed to “collaborate directly with the Park officials or someone who manages the location” in order to have the Pokestop removed. This Cemetery is owned by the city and I have no clue how to get in contact with someone in charge and honestly don’t really want to have to explain this whole process to someone from the city official’s office.
The reason I want to removed is it’s right at entrance to the cemetery which has led to players blocking the main path of the location for mourners in order to access a Pokegym. I decided instead of removing it maybe I could put in a location edit to try and move it maybe 3-4 meters, so that it would be on the left side parking lot. Still very close to the physical memorial but in a place where if players grouped it would cause much less disruption to mourners. Unsurprisingly the location edit failed in review, which I expected, I appealed it because I know the appeal process allows us to explain our reason for the edit.
This map isn’t great it doesn’t show the main stairway of the cemetery which starts just before of the orange Wayspot, I’m just showing it to give a reference.
The appeal was unfortunately denied for the unhelpful reason that “This Wayspot is at correct location and does not require any adjustmets at this time.” (They spelled Adjustments wrong. ..). I already knew that I know I am moving the pokegym further from the physical object it represents, which is sort of against the letter of the law when it comes to these reviews. but that doesn’t help the solve the situation.
I know this isn’t a huge issue and I don’t want to come off as a Karen complaining endlessly, but it bothers me to see people coming to a cemetery having to ask people to look up from their phones and move aside so they can access their dead relatives.
Thank you for any advice anyone can give me on this situation.
Hey, so this is strictly considered Wayfarer abuse, full stop. Trying to move something away from the object it represents is not acceptable and continuing to do so can and likely will eventually lead to punishment on your account. I know your intent is well, but staff may not be as understanding.
Since it is in a cemetery location, sometimes those may be removed for their sensitive nature, however that is not always consistent from Niantic.
In the end, this may be something you’ll have to try asking the community members you are aware of to be more respectful or simply let it go. They’re in the wrong, not you. Don’t get yourself into trouble with Niantic because of them.
This isn’t meant to be harsh, but it is how it appears to be at this time.
I looked at this location and can confirm that this Wayspot doesn’t meet our criteria for removal at this time.
We do encourage our users to be safe and alert at all times, abide by local laws, and respect the locations they visit and people they meet during their exploration. We advise our players to review and follow the Trainer Guidelines at all times while playing Pokémon GO to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone!
Each Wayspot represents an object in the real world and it is not possible to move these game locations away from the objects they represent.
That’s a bummer. In their defense, they are humans and can sometimes may make mistakes
It sounds like this is really not a good place for a gym hosting raids to be honest if people are going to be disrespectful
The form mentioned by Gendgi would enable a request from park staff to restrict raids at the gym or remove it altogether if its causing issues? That might be the best case here.
Alternatively it might be worth warning the local community that this could be what will happen (ie the gym could stop having raids at all) if they dont start being more aware of their surroundings and behaving respectfully. Albeit this can make you unpopular as thry then blame you for the consequences of their behaviour (ask me how I know )
I have been known to send an email to a property owner letting them know the game location is there. If they want it removed, they can have it removed.
Thank you for your response, I think I will try to contact the management of the cemetery to see if they are willing to help.
I don’t think I could change the community’s response since this stop isn’t really on my daily walking route and I kind of personally try to avoid it and find other gyms. Which makes it difficult to talk to people who block the path, but thank you for the suggestion.
Sometimes property management is aware of the issue but doesn’t understand what is happening or who to contact. Getting an email or phone call explaining might help.
On the other hand, other people have shared stories of their local cemeteries (and park systems in general, of course) fully encouraging and endorsing the visitors, so they might brush you off, too.
Remain respectful and present the facts is usually cheaper than the best way.
Not as bad, but really similar example with players not being respectful of the area the gym is at.
Gym was at a pub with a car park. Owners got sick of players parking there to start a raid event and then heading off to do others for 3 hours, and never going in to buy a pint. They added signs saying people will get their cars towed if they are not customers
Mentioned the signs locally and suggested they don’t park there anymore due to the cars being removed, or the gym might end up being removed if we cause a nuisance to the owners.
Got told to keep my nasty opinions to myself and told I’m no longer welcome in the group, so had to leave.
The gym got blocked from raids a while later! It was nothing to do with me, and luckily since they had made me leave the group no one could contact me to be too nasty about it.
That is not what I meant. I’m sorry if it came off in a wrong way. I took that in the right spirits . That part was just a light hearted response from me.
Keep in mind that historically, Niantic has used different approaches to limit gameplay in sensitive areas. In particular:
Remove all PokéStops and Gyms from the cemetery completely — this leaves players with nothing.
Demote Gyms to PokéStops — lets players respectfully collect resources, but no raids or flash mobs.
Keep the Gyms but disable raids — this is the worst option I’ve heard, since it prevents new Gyms from appearing in the same L14 cell after the nerfed one. It’s only used if the players have behaved really badly.
Enable or disable a Gym on a specific schedule, for example only allow interaction between midnight and 6 a.m., which gives players something to do when they wouldn’t cause problems.
I think the last option, or the second one, are the most friendly if players can respectfully play without raids.
..). I already knew that I know I am moving the pokegym further from the physical object it represents, which is sort of against the letter of the law when it comes to these reviews. but that doesn’t help the solve the situation.
)
. That part was just a light hearted response from me.