Clarkstown Police say they’ve received a number of reports of bear sightings in residential areas of Nanuet and Central Nyack. Officers have been in the areas and will continue to monitor the bears’ movements. Meanwhile, they remind us of some advice from the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation — most black bears prefer to avoid humans. You can yell, clap, or bang pots to scare bears away. Above all, stay calm, walk slowly and speak in a loud and calm voice. Then cautiously back away from the bear and leave the area.