Bears may add scare to trick or treating

Residents of Minden and Gardnerville have been seeing and hearing the signs of the recent bear epidemic.

Marcy De Rose said her daughter Sierra saw a bear at the park in Westwood last week. The Longleaf Place resident said she has seen bear scat on the sidewalks and that her neighbors' trash has been raided.

She said a bear has climbed over the fence that follows a path between the neighborhood and the high school.

"The bears got into the neighbors garbage and is going to the bathroom on the streets."

De Rose is concerned that the popular spot for trick-or-treaters is going to be a dangerous lure to bears.

"I usually decorate, but I'm not going to this year," she said. "I'm not going to encourage kids to come here because the smell of candy will attract the bear."

Gardnerville Ranchos resident Helen Bieth on Niblick said a bear and her cub have been raiding the area around the Carson Valley Golf Course for at least a month.

"Last week, two pears dropped and the next morning they were gone," she said. "The bears have been wandering through here in broad daylight. I'm very concerned that a trick-or-treater could be attacked. The bears will just stand and look at you. They have no fear of people."

Sgt. Tom Mezzetta said bears may be attracted by the scent of a child's trick-or-treat bag.

"If confronted by a bear, stay with others in a group, do not try to run away," he said. "You can't outrun a bear and it may provoke a pursuit. Slowly back away, heading for shelter. Talk calmly amongst yourselves so that the bear identifies you as human."

Mezzetta said it may be necessary to drop the trick-or-treat bag during a retreat

"But do not throw it at the bear as it may be mistaken as an act of aggression," he said. "Give the bear a wide berth as you seek shelter."

On Halloween, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is hosting its annual Safety Street program 3-8 p.m. at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

Children move from doorway to doorway in the mock ghost town and collect candy.

"Children can collect enough candy to make any dentist smile," he said. "Prizes and contests add to the fun and festivities. "

The cost is $2 and the money goes into continuing the program.