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SwiftReach is a high speed Emergency Notification System that alerts residents to emergency situations including severe storm warnings, road closures, or water problems in the local area.

Many situations exist in which a government agency needs to contact the members of its community quickly, efficiently and effectively. These situations can vary from road closures, weather emergencies such as flooding, lost children, hydrant flushing, to terrorist threats.

SwiftReach makes it easy for residents to receive “real-time” emergency information from the Borough’s emergency and utility services. The program has the capability of delivering pre-recorded messages to the entire Bloomingdale community via telephone, cell phone, email and text messaging. The system uses a publicly available list of phone numbers that can be removed or updated by both residents and businesses.

In order to receive these alerts, Bloomingdale residents and businesses are encouraged to enroll their information, contact preferences, or to add additional phone numbers and email addresses by visiting the Borough website at http://www.bloomingdalenj.net/. 

Thank you!

Joseph Borell

Chief of Police

DEP OFFERS TIPS ON REDUCING CONFLICTS AND ENCOUNTERS WITH BLACK BEARS IN NEW JERSEY

(14/P65) TRENTON – With several prominent sightings of black bears in Central and South Jersey over the past few weeks, the Department of Environmental Protection is reminding residents in all 21 counties to take a few basic precautions this summer to reduce the potential of encounters with black bears, and offering tips on co-existing with the creatures.

“Black bear sightings and incidents across the state, in general, have declined for the past few years, especially as we reduce the number of bears overall and people better understand how to coexist with them,’’ said Dave Chanda, director of the State Division of Fish and Wildlife. “However, in some areas of the state where bears have been far less common, residents may be alarmed to encounter bears. We urge people to be cautious when encountering bears, but there is no need for alarm.’’

You can reduce the risk of interactions with bears by taking a few simple steps. Most important, do not feed bears, intentionally or unintentionally. Bears that learn to associate food with people, and their homes and living areas, can become nuisance bears that forage in neighborhoods looking for easy sources of food.

It is illegal to intentionally feed black bears in New Jersey and punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. But a more common problem is unintentional bear feeding by homeowners. By taking a few easy steps, you can dramatically reduce the potential of bear encounters. Secure your trash and eliminate obvious sources of food, such as pet food on decks, easy-to-reach bird feeders, or food residues left in barbecue grills. In areas regularly frequented by bears, livestock and beehives should be protected with properly installed electric fences.

“Bears have been sighted in all 21 New Jersey counties, and bear-human encounters have occurred a bit more frequently in recent months in places such as Burlington County, outside of traditional bear country in Northwest Jersey,’’ said DEP Senior Wildlife Biologist Kelcey Burguess. “Please understand that a black bear passing through a residential area should not be considered a problem, as long as it is behaving normally and not posing a threat.’’

The following tips to can help minimize conflicts with bears:

• Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage, or in the basement, a sturdy shed or other secure area.
• Wash garbage containers frequently with a disinfectant solution to remove odors. Put out garbage on collection day, not the night before.
• Avoid feeding birds when bears are active. If you choose to feed birds, do so during daylight hours only and bring feeders indoors at night. Suspend birdfeeders from a free-hanging wire, making sure they are at least 10 feet off the ground. Clean up spilled seeds and shells daily.
• Immediately remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors.
• Clean outdoor grills and utensils to remove food and grease residue. Store grills securely.
• Do not place meat or any sweet foods in compost piles.
• Remove fruit or nuts that fall from trees in your yard.
• Properly installed electric fencing is an effective way of protecting crops, beehives and livestock.

If you encounter a bear remain calm and do not run. Make sure the bear has an escape route. Avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak with a low, assertive voice.

Report bear damage, nuisance behavior or aggressive bears to the Wildlife Control Unit of the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife at (908) 735-8793(908) 735-8793. During evenings and weekends, residents should call their local police department or the DEP Hotline at (877) WARN-DEP.

To learn more about New Jersey’s black bears and ways to avoid problems with them, visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearfacts_education.htm and www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearfacts_avoid.htm

For more information on the Christie Administration’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management Plan, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearpolicy10.htm

COYOTES IN NEW JERSEY

The coyote has firmly established itself in our area through its extremely adaptable nature. Coyotes adjust well to their surroundings and can survive on whatever food is available. Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food, but will take advantage of whatever is available, including garbage, pet food and domestic animals that are left unattended. They also consume carrion (decaying tissue).

Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control.

The coyote closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of a long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. The coyote has a habit of holding its tail in a horizontal position or lower while standing, walking and running.

They are tolerant of human activities and rapidly adapt to changes in their environment. They are by nature wary of humans.

In suburban and urban areas, coyotes have occasionally attacked small pets. Attacks on humans are extremely rare, as with any predatory animal they can occur. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are most likely to develop as adults forage for food for the pups in the spring and summer.

Coyote Precautions

The following guidelines can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes:

• Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
• Avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey, put away bird feeders, pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
• Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
• Clear brush and dense weeds from your property. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles
• Bring pets in at night.
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• Remove sources of water, especially in dry conditions.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is irresponsible and can lead to problems. They lose caution and fear.

If coyotes are present, make sure they know they’re not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose. If you observe coyotes in the daytime that show no fear of humans or if a coyote attacks a person, immediately contact your local police and the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 908-735-8793; outside of normal business hours call the DEP Hotline at 877-WARN-DEP.