Not in Rochester, but in the Finger Lakes. It was a few weeks ago on Rt20 at dusk. DH and I both saw it. I suppose bears could & would meander up to Rochester. There was an article this summer in our local newspaper (Syracuse Post Standard) about bears getting to be a more common sight in upstate NY (and not just in the Adirondacks).

We are in the hills of Schoharie County and have seen black bears a few times.

Black bears are just about everywhere in NY now. Enjoy them.Watch them from a safe distance or you home or car windows.People fear them for no reason.Like all wild animals the want their space, give it to them. Don't try and get a picture of little Johnny feeding his fluffanutter.We need to learn to live with then. RESPECT them. They BITE!!Keep pet food inside.Trash cans secured.They are eating machines. If there isn't food they will move on.They are more afraid of us then we are of them.Honest.I've walk up one a mother and two cubs not knowing they were there. The mother ran off into some pines. I watched from 15 yards away while the cubs played. Moms don't go far so don't think she left them.