Port Alberni is no longer a Bear Safe Community according to Conservation Officer Dan Eichstadter.
He said he drove around neighbourhoods the night before garbage day and was shocked to find how many people had their garbage cans out and unsecured.
Eichstadter said with the low sockeye run and possible drought effect on berries, we can expect more bears in city limits this year.
He said Conservation Officers will start handing out fines of $230 for unsecured garbage cans, or cans put out the night before garbage day.