Prospect Park residents flock to North 16th Street for black bear sighting
The bear was spotted wandering the neighborhood and resting in a tree. Officials believe it was the same bear spotted in Haledon on Thursday.
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A black bear was spotted resting in a tree in Prospect Park late Friday evening. Police officers and a group of people curious to see the bear up close surrounded North 16th Street.
Leana Reyes and her family were among them.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” said Reyes.
She was joined by her younger brother and their mother, Jessica Then, who explained why she was there.
“I don’t think it’s normal to see a bear around here. So the curiosity,” said Then.
Police tracked the bear down at the intersection of North 16th Street between Brown and Park avenues after calls from shocked residents. They believe it’s the same bear spotted Thursday afternoon around Haledon.
Adriana Caballero and her siblings said the bear had been resting in the tree that’s in their backyard since around 3 p.m.
“I wasn’t even home. I was in college. And [my brother] called me and he said ‘Remember the bear that was wandering? Well it’s in our backyard,’” said Caballero.
The bear could be seen yawning and going back to sleep until it stretched and climbed out of the tree a little bit before 7 p.m.
Officers patrolled the area until the bear left.
“It’s probably just minding its own business and I’m going to mind my own business and just keep it moving just like that,” said Deondre Anthony Bucknor.
Police are reminding people to be attentive, not to feed the bear and to secure any garbage bins.
