Grab your kids and your pets: Bear sighted in Lakewood

Lakewood Police are advising city residents to keep children inside and pets on a short leash Thursday afternoon following reports of a roaming bear.

The bear was seen in the area between Edgewood Avenue Southwest and New Grove Avenue Southwest, near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

“State Fish & Wildlife Officers are aware and will come once they finish with a bear in another location,” Lakewood Police said on X.

In May, another bear led police and wildlife personnel on chase through Tacoma neighborhoods until it climbed a tree in Lakewood, was tranquilized and later relocated.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m.: The bear has reportedly moved onto JBLM property, according to Lakewood police.

This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 4:36 PM.

Craig Sailor

The News Tribune

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Craig Sailor has worked for The News Tribune since 1998 as a writer, editor and photographer. He previously worked at The Olympian and at other newspapers in Nevada and California. He has a degree in journalism from San Jose State University.