Westerly police warn residents of black bear sightings

WESTERLY, R.I. (WLNE) — The Westerly Police Department warned residents Thursday to keep an eye out for small black bear.

The police said the bear was sighted roaming the Watch Hill and Misquamicut Beach areas, as well as near Shore Road.

They added that bears are attracted to residential areas by food, including bird feeders.

“To keep bears out of your backyard, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management encourages residents to not fill bird feeders and keep other food sources away by securing trash in covered barrels or sheds, cleaning grills to reduce food smells and not leaving pet food outside overnight,” the police said.

Sightings of bears should be reported to the department at 401-596-2022 the DEM at 401-222-3070.