There were bear sightings in Brookfield and New Milford yesterday. 

Over the course of a year, there were 148 reports made to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by Brookfield residents.  Some 267 reports were made by residents of New Milford over the past year.  Wildlife officials say black bear sightings are reported each year from 140 of the state's 169 towns.

Over 6,000 bear sightings were reported in 2016.   Authorities say Connecticut has a healthy and increasing bear population, with the highest concentration in the northwest region of the state. 

Bears spend time in neighborhoods because food sources are abundant and easy to access such as birdfeeders, garbage, open compost, and grills. They will revisit the same location.  If a bear behaves in a way that is a threat to public safety, it may have to be euthanized by the department.