Bear spotted in tree outside of Monroe High School

Published 2:30 pm Monday, October 8, 2018

MONROE — A bear was seen in a tree outside of Monroe High School on Monday afternoon.

The Monroe Police Department, which was notified at 1:22 p.m., was focused on keeping the animal in the tree.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived to the scene around 2:20 p.m. — about the same time that students were dismissed from school.

After a precautionary lockdown, kids were dismissed as usual. Transportation was arranged for those who normally walk home, according to an alert posted on the school website. Additional staff was made available to guide students out.

After-school activities and a junior varsity football game were not canceled.

The bear remained in the tree throughout the afternoon. Wildlife officers said they would wait to see if the bear would come down on its own terms.

“But they believe that won’t happen until the people and cars aren’t out there,” said Debbie Willis with the Monroe Police Department.