Large Black Bear Seen on Big Piece Road, Fairfield, Wednesday, and Horseneck Road, Thursday

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 3:32pm

Credit: Fairfield Police Department

Updated: 10:45am Thursday

FAIRFIELD, NJ  - The Fairfield Police Department advised the public that a large black bear was spotted in the Big Piece Road area on Wednesday afternoon, and on Horseneck Road on Thursday morning. 

Big Piece Road, Fairfield Credit: Google Maps

Fairfield Deputy Chief Anthony Manna commented,
"In most cases, a black bear, if not cornered, will be wary of people.
However, black bears that are accompanied with their cubs,
present the need for residents to have a heightened level of awareness."

Credit: Fairfield Police Department

Police released a list of advice from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency’s website which instructs on how to proceed when encountering a bear. 

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency  Bear Facts
If you encounter a black bear in your neighborhood or outdoors while hiking or camping, follow these common-sense safety tips.

• Never feed or approach a bear
  
  
• Remain calm if you encounter a bear
  
  
• 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
  
  
• 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

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• 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
  
  
• Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP's 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-927-6337
  
  
• Families who live in areas frequented by black bears should have a "Bear Plan" in place for children, with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns
  
  
• Black bear attacks are extremely rare; if a black bear does attack, fight back! 

"While it is perfectly appropriate for residents seeing a bear
to notify the police department, it should be understood
that the police department’s response to such incidents
are limited unless the black bear becomes a nuisance
or an immediate threat to human life," Manna commented. 

Further Information
Fairfield Police Department
Fairfield Deputy Police Chief Anthony Manna
230 Fairfield Road
Fairfield, NJ 07004
973-227-1400
Website  

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