2 bear sightings reported in Derby

DERBY — Police received two reports Sunday of bear sightings, according to Lt. Justin Stanko.
The first sighting was around noon in the area of Lakeview Terrace, and the second sighting was in the vicinity of Cullens Hill Road at about 7 p.m.
When officers responded, they were unable to locate the bear. The roads are near each other, and in the vicinity of Osbornedale State Park.
The state Department of Environmental Protection was contacted, police said.
“It is definitely not a regular occurrence to have a bear sighting in Derby,” Stanko said.
The DEP’s web site documents the reports of black bear sightings in the past year, and it was at 1,256 statewide on Monday.
According to the DEP, if you see a bear, enjoy it from a distance and slowly walk away.