New City, N.Y. — Clarkstown Police Dispatchers have received multiple reports of a bear and cub roaming near Squadron Boulevard in New City. The most recent sighting was reported near Route 304, according to police.
Officials are reminding residents that black bears are a natural part of New York’s wildlife and generally avoid human contact. However, homeowners are encouraged to take precautions to minimize the chance of attracting bears to their property.
According to guidance from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), residents should:
► Keep garage doors and ground-floor windows closed at night.
► Store garbage, pet food, and bird seed inside a shed, garage, or home — and remove outdoor bird feeders.
► If you use an invisible fence for pets, keep them on a leash in areas where bears have been seen.
Officials emphasize that black bears are not typically aggressive toward humans and should not be feared. The key, they say, is to remain calm, give the animals plenty of space, and avoid approaching or feeding them.
(Photo is a stock image — not of the bear spotted in New City.)