With Bear Sightings on the Rise, Arcadia PD Offers Tips for Living with Wildlife

The Arcadia Police Department reminded residents of its policy for dealing with wildlife Thursday after several bear sightings have been reported over the last two weeks.

Writing on the department's official news blog, Arcadia Police Sgt. Tom LeVeque said that the primary goal in responding to wildlife is to usher the animal back into its natural habitat.

Our officers will respond when called to a wildlife sighting and our primary goal is to allow the animal to leave the area back to the foothills. Under most conditions, the officers presence, use of vehicles, horns, stun bag rounds, all are sufficient to encourage the animal to leave the area. If life is threatened, use of deadly force is an option. Our officers are not equipped with tranquilizers and State Wardens may not be readily available to respond to what is sometimes a rapidly evolving event.

Arcadia Police responded to a bear call on Tuesday and game wardens tranquilized a bear last week after it broke into several homes.