Franklin Lakes Residents Say Black Bear Sightings Are Hitting Too Close To Home

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Too many bears, way too close to home -- that's what some Franklin Lakes residents think.

CBS2's Vanessa Murdock went in search of black bears, and stumbled on a cub with its mother in Judy DeParto's yard.

"I think there's too many bears for our neighborhood. I've lived here for 28 years, I never had to be afraid to go for a walk," Departo said.

Another neighbor said that she no longer runs outside of the house, and hits the treadmill instead.

On Wednesday morning, Cheryl Russo spotted a pair of bears walking through her yard.

"I was happy because everyone in town is talking about the bears," Russo said.

Mike and Dahlia Potenza are parents to four children, last week a severely injured bear cub was euthanized in the family's backyard. They shot a video of the mother seemingly trying to come to grips with her loss.

"It was really said to watch the mom with the cub, on the other hand I have four young kids and I was concerned for their safety as well," Mike said.

"I've heard they can break the glass. I was worried about her seeing the kids. I haven't let them out since," Dahlia said.

The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife said that there is work to be done as the black bear population continues to expand and increase throughout the state.

The Franklin Lakes Police Department said that bear sightings have tripled since last year.

"We'll keep an eye out. Hopefully we can co-exist," Potenza said.

Bear biologists say the simplest way to make that happen is by nixing birdfeeders and securing trash, both can be big draws for black bears.

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