Overview
- West Vincent Township police, which issued a public alert Monday, reported multiple resident sightings of a black bear moving through neighborhoods and raiding trash.
- Home surveillance on Horseshoe Trail Drive captured the animal for about 40 minutes around 8:30 p.m., with a homeowner saying the bear ate an entire watermelon.
- Police notified the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and the agency confirmed it received reports and noted black bears are uncommon but not unheard of in Chester County.
- Officers say the bear has not acted aggressively, and they urge residents to secure garbage and bird feeders, clean grills, watch pets at dawn and dusk, and call 911 with sightings or video.
- The bear appears to carry two ear tags, which could help identify a prior record as officials review its history and decide on next steps once its route becomes clear.