Task force recommends seasonal hire to address town’s bear problem

The Haines Borough’s bear task force is recommending the assembly consider hiring a seasonal public safety officer to perform outreach and assist police during bear season.

This year has seen a dramatic increase in bear activity with bear-related calls up by 600%, according to police chief Heath Scott. He said as of Sept. 1, police had received 258 bear-related calls in 2020. By contrast, at this time last year, police had received just 41 calls.