More bears have been seen roaming the streets of Nelson in search of pre-hibernation easy pickings.
In the last few days, the Nelson Police Department has received four complaints of bears roaming in their yards and garages. All of the calls occurred in the early morning hours in Uphill and Rosemont. As a result of these calls and previous ones, two bear traps have been set up in the Rosemont area by conservation officers.
The public is reminded to clean up all attractants, pick their fruit, cover their barbeques, and ensure that their garbage is secure until pick-up day.
If any garbage is stored, placed or discarded in a manner that may be accessible to wildlife, the resident may be subject to fines not exceeding $2,000 under the City of Nelson Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw.
Bear sightings should be reported to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
Bear Aware is also a resource for information on bears in the urban interface. Information can be located at bearaware.bc.ca or from printed pamphlets available at the Nelson Police Department.
In other police action in recent days…
• On Sunday morning at 7 a.m., the department received a 911 call from a resident reporting a break and enter and assault.
An officer attended within minutes and upon arrival, a known male fled the scene.
A 46-year-old Nelson resident is currently wanted on two BC wide warrants for break and enter, two counts of uttering threats, assault, forcible confinement and two counts of breach of recognizance. The name of the accused is currently not being released by police in order to protect the female victim and her children’s identity.
Fortunately, the victim was not seriously injured. The accused is well known to police and is the estranged husband of the victim.
• On Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., a 42-year-old male was arrested for criminal harassment.
The man allegedly attempted to contact his ex-partner numerous times over a two day period. The Nelson resident was held in custody and released on a recognizance of bail and $5,000 surety bail. He was released on strict conditions and is scheduled to attend Nelson Provincial Court on October 2.