Our goal is to keep bears out of our communities, thereby preventing conflicts between people and bears. Bears come into our neighbourhoods because they are searching for the foods that their noses tell them are there. There are a limited number of strategies to deal with the odors. However, evidence indicates that if curious bears are never rewarded with a taste of garbage or fruit, they would continue to direct their foraging to natural settings away from human habitation. Securing urban food sources so that newly attracted bears don't learn old routines will protect people and bears, and save tax dollars too.
People have a wide range of tolerance for bears.
Some people allow bears to get too close - inviting trouble, while others report every bear they see. Many bears are just passing through our towns looking for food. If these bears don't find rewards they soon move on and may never return. Whatever your personal comfort level, when a bear does get too close we justifiably feel threatened. People's safety comes first.