Bear Seen Roaming Through Middletown Tuesday, Police Report

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — There have been multiple reports of bear sightings in the Oak Hill section of Middletown, on Green Meadow Boulevard, Middletown-Lincroft Road and Dwight Road, Middletown Police confirmed to Patch as of about 2 p.m. Tuesday.

One Middletown resident just posted on Facebook that she saw the bear scampering through backyards at the top of Green Meadow Boulevard near Four Winds Drive. From there, the bear ran into the woods.

Police officers have responded to these reports, but have not been able to confirm the bear, said police spokesman Deputy Chief of Police Paul Bailey. So the bear sightings are logged by police as unconfirmed.

"We have had no reports that the bear has acted in any type of aggressive manner," said Bailey.

Black bears have been recorded walking around various sections of Middletown, most recently at Green Meadow Boulevard off Dwight Road at around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, said Middletown in this just-published statement.

Middletown Animal Control has been in contact with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the sightings have been reported through the state's official black bear hotline.

The Middletown Township Police Department and Animal Control Department are working closely together to track the animal's movements.

"The bear appears to be exhibiting normal behavior so there is no cause for alarm," said Captain Shannon Martiak, NJ State Conservation Police, Fish and Wildlife. "Please avoid contact and do not leave any garbage cans out longer than necessary."

Do not leave food out in the yard, bring pets inside and secure garbage cans.

Please do not try to capture or kill the bear.

Middletown encourages any sightings to be reported to the MTPD and NJDEP. If you see a bear, please keep your distance and call the Police Desk at 732-615-2100. To report the sighting through the state's official black bear hotline, please call 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).

On Friday, there were multiple black bear sightings in Atlantic Highlands, in the area of Upper East Highland Avenue and Lenape Woods. In fact, Lenape Woods and Mount Mitchill Park, two popular hiking and walking areas, were both closed all day Friday due to the bear risk. Police in Atlantic Highlands were asking the public not to venture into the woods.

Friday: Bear Seen In Atlantic Highlands; Mount Mitchill, Lenape Woods Closed