Bear in downtown Dartmouth prompts police response

A bear in a tree in the Dartmouth Commons around 1 p.m. on Thursday.  (Dan Jardine/CBC - image credit)
A bear in a tree in the Dartmouth Commons around 1 p.m. on Thursday. (Dan Jardine/CBC - image credit)

Halifax Regional Police are asking the public to stay away from the Dartmouth Commons and the area around the park due to a bear.

At 12:15 p.m. Thursday, police issued a release advising the public to steer clear of the park and bordering streets, which include Wyse Road, Thistle Street, Victoria Road, Park Avenue and Alderney Drive.

Video footage captured by CBC News showed the bear high in a tree, clinging to a branch.

Dartmouth Commons is also located next to Dartmouth High School and Bicentennial School.

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education said both schools were placed in a hold and secure after being notified of the incident.

Learning continues as planned, a spokesperson said, and the hold and secure will continue until police give word that the situation has been resolved.

The Dartmouth Sportsplex, located next to the park, remains open.

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