By Gretchen Wehmhoff

A family of brown bears has returned to Skagway. The bears, as per their annual  pattern over the past three years, frequent Dyea until the late part of July when they cross through to  Liarsville and the businesses along the Klondike Highway.

SPD responds to calls and attempts to haze or chase the bears back to the forests, but the sow and her two cubs continue to return. Officers say the bears recognize the sound of SPD  vehicles and temporarily move out of sight.

As the bears progress through town, usually at night, they seek out garbage. The Skagway Police Department (SPD) received reports of the sow bluff-charging walkers and cyclists who surprised them.

SPD recommends using lights and making your presence known via conversation, voice or other noise means if walking or cycling at dark.

Mayor Sam Bass, at the Aug. 15 assembly meeting, announced that SPD has received “permission from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game along with concurrence from the Alaska State Troopers, to put these bears down. Chief Reddick and his officers will implement this option if the opportunity arises.” he said.

“This is unfortunate. It’s sad that we may have to put these bears down, but we must ensure the safety of people. I implore the citizens and businesses of Skagway to do everything you can do, not to attract bears,” Bass continued.

Bass said the city has electric fences that can be borrowed for short periods.

According to municipal code, (8.04.035) no owner or persons in charge of a property shall cause or allow the creation or maintenance of a bare attractant nuisance on that property or the adjacent right away.

Bass reminded the public that garbage is not to be put out until 4 a.m. the day of pickup.

There is also a black bear in the area, specifically around Moore Bridge and Dyea, but it has not shown any aggressive behavior.  One police report stated that “the bear non-aggressively and calmly walked past a person on foot, brushing against their leg.”

Gold Rush Productions owner, Charity Pomeroy, thanked Bass for bringing up the bear issue.

“It’s a good reminder to me to make sure that our employees are following the guidelines that we set forth for them, and maybe even the thought that this is something that needs to be added to their contracts annually, that they do not put the trash out before trash day. And I think it would behoove  every company to check in at this time with their employees to ensure that these bears do not find food in this town,” Pomeroy said.

As of deadline, no bear deaths have been reported to or by SPD.