I don't buy your comment about people up north being less hysterical.  Hysterical is the wrong choice of word but concerned everybody better be concerned about a bear wandering about an urban area.  It is not natural and if cornered or threatened you are looking at a big problem.  They may run off when in the woods but in town they just run into someone elses back yard and the problem/threat remains.  These are not PETs they are WILD animals and too many people tend to forget that.  And  you won't outrun one either!