Officials release bear safety tips

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - City of Suffolk officials have released a series of bear safety tips in light of recent bear sightings.

Residents can follow these guidelines to minimize interaction with bears:

• Secure garbage
• Put garbage out the morning of pick-up
• Pick up pet food
• Remove the bird feeder
• Clean the outdoor grill often
• Do not put meat scraps or any other strong-smelling food in the compost pile
• Pick up and remove ripe fruit from trees and grounds

This comes one day after WAVY.com covered a bear sighting at a Suffolk school bus stop. 

If you experience a bear problem after taking the appropriate steps of prevention, contact Suffolk Police Department non-emergency dispatch at 757-923-2350.