Family Of Black Bears Invade New Jersey Neighborhood

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A neighborhood in Morris County, New Jersey is dealing with a bunch of black bears that are camping out just steps away from homes.

CBS2's Meg Baker reported the family of four bears moved into the White Meadow Lake neighborhood in Rockaway Township about a year ago. That's when neighbors started spotting the black bears in their backyards and near schools.

"I was out on the playground and I noticed the bears were in the back of the school, so the first thing I did was yell to the other teacher to whistle and they know how to alert the children to get off the playground. That was a little too close for comfort for me," Rockaway Township resident Cindy Cusack said.

Richard and Caitlyn Moschella snapped pictures of the mama bear with her three cubs on Sunday.

"They were just lying on the hill, scratching their backs," Caitlyn Moschella said.

Richard Moschella was going through his gate when he spotted the black puffs of fur and started to reverse.

"I turned around and I walked back very calmly, and I said to Cait, 'We got to get inside,'" he said.

The bears ended up ripping open a bird feeder and climbed up a huge tree.

"They were about 50 feet up or so, and just kind of hanging out," John Cusack said.

According to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, the biggest complaint about black bears is going through trash cans. They advise homeowners to secure their trash bins and remind people these animals are dangerous. If people see a bear, calmly walk away, and do not run.

The Moschellas said they will not be filling up their bird feeders anytime soon.