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Sierra Madre reports spike in bear home entries; police, Fish and Wildlife coordinating response
Summary
City officials said June 24 that Sierra Madre has seen a sharp increase in bear entries into homes in June 2025 and described ongoing coordination with California Department of Fish and Wildlife and volunteer groups to trap habituated animals and reduce attractants.
Sierra Madre officials reported a sharp rise in bear home entries during June 2025 and urged residents to secure trash, pet food and unlocked bins while the city coordinates with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and volunteer groups.
Mayor Robert Parkhurst briefed the council on bear activity and public safety, and Police Chief Barrientos gave a detailed update on June call volumes, enforcement steps and ongoing trapping efforts.
Police Chief Barrientos said the city is responding to all bear reports and working with CDFW and the volunteer group Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre. “This month alone, we have had 28 confirmed bear entries into homes and 9 attempted entries,” Barrientos said. He described that total as “more than double the number of home entries from last year” for June and said officers are responding as the lead local public-safety agency when bears pose an immediate threat.
Barrientos also gave year-to-date figures: 148 bear-related calls in 2025 compared with 151 at the same point in 2024, and noted the unusual concentration of home entries in June. He said CDFW identified two habituated bears that are the focus of trap deployments and that Fish and Wildlife has placed at least one trap in Sierra Madre and is preparing a second in the city’s northern area.
Officers described tactics used when bears enter residences: Barrientos said officers try to give an exit, avoid cornering the animal and, when necessary, use pepper ball projectiles or 40 mm rubber rounds to redirect a bear outside. He said the department uses drones for situational awareness and emphasized that officers will not euthanize a bear except in an imminent-life-threat situation; CDFW has responsibility for depredation permits and euthanasia decisions.
Volunteer group Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre said their outreach includes posting education material at local businesses, running a “Little Li Berry” mini-library with bear-safety books, and conducting curbside checks of bear-resistant trash bin latches. Michelle Tremblay of Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre told the council her volunteers found that in a recent sample about 52% of curbside bins were latched down but not locked; she encouraged residents to report faulty bins to the hauler Athens for replacement.
Chief Barrientos urged residents to secure attractants and said nonemergency reports can be submitted through the city’s wildlife reporting form; immediate threats should be reported to 911. Council members said they would schedule further discussion and outreach to ensure residents feel supported while CDFW and local partners pursue trapping and other measures.
No formal council action or ordinance was taken at the June 24 meeting; the council asked staff to continue coordination with CDFW and community partners and to consider additional public-safety outreach.
