Schools

Police: Black Bear Spotted Behind Southern Boulevard School Made its Way Into Madison

Police said the bear has been seen in the area before.

UPDATE: 1:12 p.m. A black bear spotted this morning near Southern Boulevard Elementary School has made its way into Madison, according to township police.

Police said this morning the bear has been spotted five or six times in the past. Officers fanned out around the school area to search for it this morning.

The bear originally was seen near the school, close to the churches surrounding it on Southern Boulevard. Police said this afternoon it crossed Shunpike Road this morning and made its way into Madison. That was the last they had seen of the bear.

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They would not do anything to a bear out and about, they said, unless it was threatening people or property.

Southern Boulevard Principal Ralph Pesapane said the school received a call from township police this morning regarding the bear. There were children on the playground at the time, and police asked the school to bring them inside as a precaution.

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Pesapane said he was told the bear was not acting aggresively.

"I'm glad they did [call] because we wanted to bring the kids in," he said. "Safety first."

– Janice Coviello assisted in the reporting of this article.


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