A New City man got the shock of his life when he looked out his window Thursday to see a big bear just hanging out.

"I did a double-take because I saw the animal stretch up on the tree and then I realized it was a bear ? and it was a big bear," says William Lopez, who first thought the animal was a dog. "The bear looked at me for about 10 seconds and then he turned his head and started walking away."

Meanwhile, a Stony Point woman is sharing her videotape of black bears hanging in trees on her property after a Montebello sighting prompted a school lockdown this week.

Bears have also recently been spotted in Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Monsey and along the shoulder of the New York State Thruway in Tuxedo.

Rockland County residents say they're concerned for the safety of their children and pets with the large animals roaming suburban streets and major roadways.

However, experts maintain that residents have nothing to fear. "Bears are not interested in you whatsoever," says Ranger Tim Sullivan. "They're more interested in where they can get something to eat."

According to officials, the bears have no problem finding food around houses because homeowners often fail to tie their trash up tight. Experts also say garbage cans should be kept in garages, if possible.