Snacks, Crowds Of People, Tents, Chaos, Roaming Bears... What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Another Black Bear Killed At Centennial Park 

(Stock photo) 

As 200 homeless people struggle to make homes for themselves in tents and under tarps at Centennial Park on the outskirts of Anchorage, black bears have discovered a bonanza of easy-to-find food. 

The park was used for decades as a pleasant place for travelers and Alaskans who are visiting town in the summer to stay overnight. Those days are over. Centennial recently became an outdoor, unsupervised shelter -- designated by the City of Anchorage as a place for the homeless. 

The move has caused quite a bit of controversy. 

The park is crowded. There are brawls. A woman died. Bears roam the area, from nearby Chugach State Park. 

Centennial isn't near any stores, and people who get food from volunteer organizations try to keep it from being stolen by other humans. But the predators in this place aren't just other campers. This is also bear country.

In bear country, the best thing to do with food is to store it away from where you sleep. In an out-of-control campground, the best thing to do with food is hang onto it so nobody will steal it from you. 

What could possibly go wrong?