Black bear spotted on Evans Avenue in Fort Myers

Residents in Fort Myers were startled Friday night when a black bear was spotted roaming near homes along Evans Avenue, with police offering safety tips for those who encounter the animal. A neighbor captured video of the bear grabbing onto a street sign and climbing on top of it, while people and police stopped to observe. Alex Purdue in Fort Myers saw the video pop up on his feed."There was a lot of people standing around. I would assume it's not best to stand around a bear as it's cornered," Purdue said. Fort Myers police say they've been receiving reports of the black bear on Evans Avenue and advised residents to stay back, avoid feeding bears, secure their trash, and keep pets indoors or on a leash. Residents are encouraged to report bear sightings to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for assistance.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.