Police: Black Bear Spotted in Fairfield

A black bear was spotted this weekend in nearby Fairfield, according to police. 

A bear was seen lumbering near Little Falls Road and Carlos Drive on Sunday, said Fairfield Police Department in a press release. Police believe the same bear was also seen on Saturday near Clinton Road.

This is not the first time bears have wandered into or near the Caldwells. In September 2012, four black bears foraged for hours in a West Caldwell neighborhood. Police stopped traffic so the black bears could get across Bloomfield Avenue safely. The bears eventually disappeared into a wooded area of Fairfield. 

Black bears sightings have also been reported on Fairview Avenue in Cedar Grove Sunday afternoon and in Montclair near Eagle Rock Avenue. 

In most cases a black bear will be wary of people. However, black bears that are accompanied with their cubs presents the need for residents to have a heightened level of awareness.

If you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips.

• Never feed or approach a bear.
• Remain calm if you encounter a bear.
• Make the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands, or making other noises.
• Make sure the bear has an escape route.
• If a bear enters your home, provide it with an escape route by propping all doors open.
• Avoid direct eye contact and never run from a bear. Instead, slowly back away.
• To scare the bear away, make loud noises by yelling, banging pots and pans or using an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head.
• The bear may utter a series of huffs, make popping jaw sounds by snapping its jaws and swat the ground. These are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoid direct eye contact and do not run.
• If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. It is usually not a threatening behavior.
• Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid direct eye contact, then slowly back away and do not run.
• If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area.

Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the Department of Environmental Protection at 1 (877) 927-6337. 

Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a "Bear Plan" in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns

While it is perfectly appropriate for residents seeing a bear to notify the police department, it should be understood that the police department’s response to such incidents are limited unless the black bear becomes a nuisance or an immediate threat to human life.

Individuals wishing to obtain more information about black bears in New Jersey are encouraged to go to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency’s website at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearfacts.htm.