Politics & Government

Assemblyman to Host 'Bears in our Backyards' Public Safety Forum

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino will convene a public safety forum with the Department of Fish and Game to discuss bears in the foothills.

Unlike the brightly colored Samson statuettes in the Monrovia Day Parade, real black bears roaming the hillsides have presented a dangerous hazard locally for decades.

Many forums have been held over the years to address the public safety risks posed by bears in the foothills, and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) will host another on May 19 at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station at 7:30 p.m.

The message from the California Department of Fish and Game, which will send representatives to the forum, is : take care of your trash, or bears will come down and try to eat it.

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Recent bear sightings in the La Canada/La Crescenta area prompted the meeting, according to a news release issued by Portantino's office.

"Many people do not realize that by simply altering their behavior they can minimize the chance of property damage, close encounters with bears and the death of bears," the release reads.

Find out what's happening in Monroviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The topics on the agenda include:

  •  Bears around your home
  •  Bear-proofing your property
  •  What to do if there is a bear in your yard
  •  Who to call for help

The Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station is located at 4554 N. Briggs Avenue in La Crescenta.


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