Clinton police said they chased the bear back into the woods and notified Massachusetts Environmental Police. The sightings come as the black bear population grows in eastern Massachusetts, according to guidance cited by wildlife officials.

Black bears generally avoid people, but can become a recurring neighborhood presence when they find food around homes. Bears that become accustomed to people may lose their wariness and cause property damage; encounters can also create risks for both residents and the animal, which could ultimately be euthanized.

Residents can help prevent bears from returning by taking down bird feeders, bringing pet food indoors and storing trash in bear-resistant containers or inside a garage or shed. Barbecue grills should be cleaned after use, and grease, food scraps and containers should not be left outdoors.

Beehives, chicken coops and small livestock can also attract bears. Wildlife guidance recommends protecting pens and coops with electric fencing and keeping the surrounding area mowed and open so a bear cannot approach unseen.

Clinton residents seeking help with bear problems can contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Central Wildlife District in West Boylston at 508-835-3607. The state’s black bear guidance is available at mass.gov/black-bears-in-massachusetts.