If you have garbage in your yard or on your porch or deck, you may be contributing to the death of a bear.
That’s the message from the Nelson Police Department, who say they get many calls each day about bears in the city.
“In the vast majority of incidents police officers will ensure that the bear is involved in its primal activity of feeding and that the bear has a degree of natural aversion to humans,” the police said in a news release. “If the bear displays sickness, injury or a total loss of natural aversion of humans, the Nelson Police Department will seek assistance from the Conservation Officer Service.
“In very rare instances police or Conservation Officers are forced to euthanize the bear. With the help of Nelsonites who are dedicated to managing their refuse, compost and fruit, we can continue to accommodate the presence of bears within the city without being forced to resort to sad conclusions.”
Residents who wish to report an encounter with a bear in the city should call the conservation officers at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on the TELUS mobility network.
Hit and runs
The Nelson Police Department also reports that over a period of 24 hours during the middle of this week they received four complaints of failing to remain at the scene of an accident.
One notable incident on Baker St. in mid-afternoon traffic was described in a police news release:
“A driver backed into the other vehicle forcing the vehicle to come to a complete stop. In order to exit the area the driver had to pull forward, adjust their position and then back out of the parking spot.
“It was clear to the witnesses that the driver was aware that they had struck another vehicle. The offending vehicle was last seen rushing from the area. Fortunately, the driver of the vehicle that was struck was able to photograph the offender’s vehicle, including the vehicle licence plate number.”
The police tracked down the driver and issued a “hefty fine” for failing to remain at the scene of a collision.