Police: Beware of Bears

The third black bear advisory in four days has been issued by the Verona Police Department.

A bear was spotted Friday around 3 p.m., as well as Wednesday afternoon in the Afterglow and Sunset Avenue of town near Eagle Rock Reservation, police said.

Earlier in the week, a black bear was reported on Crestmont and Witherspoon roads, and bears have been spotted in Montclair, Cedar Grove and Fairfield in the past couple of weeks. A black bear cub was tranquilized and captured after it climbed up a tree in a Montclair park earlier this month.

Verona Police are asking residents to stay clear of the bear.  

"In our recent experiences with black bears, they have not been aggressive and have moved through the area without incident," police said in Friday's advisory which included the following tips: 

Black Bear Tips

Black bears by nature tend to be wary of humans and avoid people. However, if you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips: 

• 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. 
• Never feed or approach a bear! 
• Remain calm. 
• 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.