Vandalism at Fort Phoenix Attributed to Pokemon Go Players

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (AP) - A fort destroyed in the Revolutionary War is again fending off attacks - this time from "Pokemon Go" players.

Caretakers of Fort Phoenix in Massachusetts say players of the popular smartphone game are damaging the historic site.

Gary Lavalette, volunteer caretaker at the fort in Fairhaven, near the Rhode Island state line, says people have been leaving trash, vandalizing historic structures and publicly urinating. He told WLNE-TV that a stone wall was taken apart with a crowbar and parts of the property look like a "minefield" because people are digging up the ground.

The Fairhaven Historical Commission says hundreds of "Pokemon Go" players have been flocking to the fort, often at night, because it's where hard-to-find Pokemon can be found.

The Fairhaven Board of Selectmen are meeting tonight to discuss the possibility of removing the Fort as an attraction in the Pokemon Go app.

The fort was destroyed by the British in 1778 but later rebuilt.