Bear Sightings: A Message from FLPD

Franklin Lakes, like many other New Jersey communities, has experienced an increase in its black bear population and, as a result, an increase in the number of appearances that this indigenous animal makes in residential neighborhoods, causing a degree of concern within the Borough. The Police Department and the Mayor and Council are fully aware of the frequency of black bear sightings and, with the guidance of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, are actively exploring methods of dealing with the issue.

Borough residents are encouraged to contact the Franklin Lakes Police Department, at 201-891-3131, whenever a bear is observed along a roadway or in a residential area. The Department’s protocol is to dispatch police officers to each report of a bear sighting, and then to take the level of action which is most appropriate to the situation. Generally, the animals are monitored and the responding officers alert individuals, who are outdoors, within the vicinity, until the animal has moved along. Most black bears, it should be noted, will continue on their way if left unbothered. In the highly unusual event that a bear shows aggressive tendencies and poses an immediate danger to persons or domesticated animals, then police officers are authorized to dispose of it. The use of air horns, and the employment of less-than-lethal ammunition, are equipment that are utilized by the Police Department when responding to black bear calls, dependant upon the circumstances.

In addition to contacting the Franklin Lakes Police Department when a bear is sighted, residents are also urged to notify the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife at 877-927-6337 or 908-735-8793 (Wildlife Control Unit), as it is important for the State to become fully aware of the frequency of black bear activity within Franklin Lakes.

Homeowners living within black bear populated areas should always take certain precautions, in order to lessen the degree of black bear activity occurring within their neighborhoods, such as securing trash containers and placing them curbside as close to pick-up time as possible (if feasible, on the morning that garbage or recycling is scheduled for collection – but not later than 6:00 AM), washing or spraying trash containers with a disinfectant in order to eliminate food odors, removing bird feeders, and, if pets are fed outdoors, removing the bowls and food soon after feeding.

An excellent source of information on becoming “Bear Aware” is the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife’s website, www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearinfo.htm, which offers many methods and suggestions on the topics of living within black bear areas, and how to react when encountering a bear, such as remaining calm and making the bear aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, while slowly backing away (not running) to a safe location, being careful to avoid making direct eye contact with the animal.

Residents are encouraged to sign up at the Borough’s website, www.franklinlakes.org, for “e-blasts”, which are regular emails that are sent by the Borough on issues of importance and interest, such as bear activity within the Borough.  There is also further information and links pertaining to bears on the homepage of the Borough’s website.