VACAVILLE — Vacaville city officials issued a public safety alert Friday after a mountain lion was captured on video walking in the downtown area last weekend.
A resident's home surveillance camera recorded the animal roaming through the area between West and Cernon Streets near Main Street just before 2 a.m. on August 17, the Vacaville Police Department said.
"Never heard of it, ever," said Jane Jones Fricke. "We've been running these alleys for 100 years in my family."
Fricke is a sixth-generation Vacaville resident who is shocked by the sighting.
The mountain lion can be seen walking along a fence in what police say is a parking lot before it walked out of the camera's field of view.
"Now I go out very cautiously. I have my sons and grandsons live on the property too and so we all are very cautious," Fricke said.
Vacaville police said that despite the incident occurring last weekend, the resident who owns the camera did not see the footage until recently.
***Mountain Lion Sighting***
***Downtown Vacaville***
The City of Vacaville is issuing a public safety alert, following a confirmed sighting of a mountain lion in downtown Vacaville. This alert is intended to be informative.
On August 17, 2024 at approximately 1:50 AM, a resident’s exterior camera captured a mountain lion roaming through the downtown area, specifically the area between West Street and Cernon Street near Main Street. The animal was seen briefly in a parking lot before wandering off camera view.
Although this incident was captured on video surveillance this past weekend, the resident did not notice the event until recently.
Please take a note of the following precautions should a member of the public come into contact with a mountain lion or other large wildlife:
Safety:
-Residence are advised to remain vigilant and avoid approaching the animal if spotted
-Keep pets and children, indoors and secure any food sources or garbage that may attract wildlife
-Avoid walking with pets off leash
If you see a mountain lion:
-Pick up small children without bending over
-Back away slowly, DO NOT RUN
-Make noise and give the animal an escape route
-Do not attempt to confront or capture the animal
Report sightings:
-Anyone who sees a mountain lion is urged to immediately contact the Vacaville Police Department at 707–499–5200 and/or the Wildlife Management hotline at 916–358–2917 or wildlife.ca.gov.
Media inquiries, please contact:
Lieutenant Chris Lechuga
Public Information Officer
Vacaville Police Department
Phone: 707-449-5269
Email: Chris.lechuga@cityofvacaville.com
Although mountain lion attacks on humans are rare, according to wildlife officials, they have occurred in California as recently as this year. In March, a mountain lion attacked two brothers, killing one of them.
Some safety measures officials urge civilians to take when encountering a mountain lion are:
to avoid approaching one if spotted.
to secure food sources that could attract wildlife.
