Police Warn of Black Bear Sightings in Ramsey

he Ramsey Police Department released a warning Thursday for residents in the northwest section of town to be on the look out for a bear who has recently been spotted hanging out around the neighborhood.

According to Police Chief Bryan Gurney, the black bear has been spotted along several borough roadways over the past week, including on Myrtle Avenue, Manor Drive, Pine Tree Road, and Carriage Lane.

Thus far, the bear has not had any interactions with residents, other than opening a few residential garbage cans, Gurney said. But, the PD released the following guidelines for residents to follow if they see a bear:

• Do not feed or approach the bear
• Remain calm and make the bear aware of your presence
• Make sure the bear has an escape route
• Make noise, bang pots or pans; raise your arms and look as large as  possible
• Bears may utter huffs, popping sounds and snap their jaws as a warning if you are too close
• Bears may bluff charge if cornered
• Do not make direct eye contact with a bear
• Do nut run away from a bear, slowly back away
• If the bear is causes damage or becomes a nuisance, call the Ramsey Police Department and or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1(877) WARN-DEP