Verona police issue warning after bear sighting

Verona police issued a warning to residents to be careful following bear sightings in town during Memorial Day weekend.

The black bear was spotted on Hamilton Road Saturday morning and seemed to stay in the Ostego section of Verona, according to Police Chief Mitchell Stern. Police tracked it through the afternoon and it was spotted again on Sunday on Crestmont Road near Claremont Avenue. 

The department issued a warning with safety tips on dealing with bears on Sunday and Stern said the bear hasn’t been seen since. No injuries or property damage related to the bear were reported, he said. 

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“I did hear of it having a buffet on somebody’s birdfeeder but that’s about it,” the chief said. “Hopefully he’s not holed up in somebody’s detached garage.”

A bear was spotted in West Caldwell a few days earlier so it could have been the same one, Stern said. 

Police sent out a list of tips on what to do if confronted with a bear, such as avoid eye contact, provide it with an escape route and to remain calm. Stern advised residents to use common sense.

“I wouldn’t leave pets unattended,” he said. “I certainly wouldn’t leave small kids unattended. … If you see a bear you don’t want to approach it. Generally they will not bother you if you don’t bother them.”

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com