When a bear departs on its own, 'It's safer for the bear and safer for the people,' Easton police captain says

A particularly curious bear scaled Easton's College Hill this morning, ambling across porches and yards before retreating into the woods.

The adult black bear made its way along Hillside Avenue and nearby streets, before heading into the woods and down the other side of the ridge that separates the city from suburbs, anEaston police captain reports.

The bear's journey would eventually take it to Forks Township Community Park and beyond before it left humans behind for the day.

Capt. Scott Casterline was one of five Easton police officers who responded about 8 a.m. to find the large bear checking out the homes in the exclusive neighborhood, including one where former Easton Mayor Tom Goldsmith once lived.

The goal, Casterline said, was to limit human interaction with the bear, which was made particularly difficult when the animal walked onto several porches and got near the front doors.

Police had Northampton County dispatchers calling residents of the street and nearby terraces, warning them to stay inside, Casterline said. People who were walking nearby or working in their yards stayed away from the bear, which showed little interest in them, Casterline said.

"The bear seemed very bold and comfortable" around people's homes, Casterline said. "Our concern was that people would open their doors and startle the bear."

Police were also worried that people, not realizing the danger, would let out their dogs, which often become excited indoors with a bear nearby.

"It was one of the larger bears we've encountered," Casterline said.

Each year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission sends city police a pamphlet advising authorities what to do when a bear enters a neighborhood, Casterline said. It is distributed to all officers, he said.

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When a bear departs on its own, 'It's safer for the bear and safer for the people,' Easton police captain says