Erie County Sheriff's Dept. Report 2024
Erie County Sheriff's Dept. Official Website
April 11 - April 17, 2024
April 4 - April 10, 2024
March 28 - April 3, 2024
March 21 - March 27, 2024
March 14 - March 20, 2024
Distracted Driving Awareness Month - April 2024
Erie County Sheriff John C. GarciaFellow residents of Erie County: As the weather warms up, you can expect our highways to be full of families on their way to and from their spring and summer activities. April ushers in Distracted Driving Awareness Month. While there is some positive news to share regarding trends, it is important that we continue our work across this community and nation to eliminate distracted driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of people killed in crashes involving distracted driving decreased more than 6% in 2022. While this is encouraging, the data still shows that 3,308 people across this country needlessly lost their lives. For these families, it doesn’t matter that the statistics are decreasing. All they know is that there is an empty chair at the dinner table.
Nearly 10% of all crashes the Erie County Sheriff’s Office investigated in 2023 were caused by distracted driving or driver inattention. This includes the use of a cell phone, GPS and vehicle infotainment systems. This is something that is so easily preventable. No text message is worth the life that it might cost. No phone call is worth the weeks or months that might be spent in the hospital.
You will be hearing much more about this issue later this month. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office and our partners in law enforcement will be highlighting the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s “No Empty Chair” campaign. During the week of April 22nd, we will be drawing attention to various highway safety initiatives. There will be accompanying enforcement details each day, including one focused on cell phone use and texting on April 24th. Other enforcement efforts will include speeding in school zones, seat belt and child restraints, passing stopped school buses and underage impaired driving.
The timing of this initiative is not coincidental. As prom and graduation season approaches, we are also nearing the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. This represents the period between Memorial and Labor Days during which there is an increase in motor vehicle fatalities involving teen drivers. I urge parents to speak with their children about being safe behind the wheel, with a particular focus on distracted driving. Remember, they see your behavior while you are driving and will likely follow suit. I want you to know that law enforcement and traffic safety agencies across Erie County, New York State and the nation are committed to this issue.
Phone Scam - March 2024
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports that the Erie County Sheriff’s Office has received a number of reports on today’s date regarding the following scam. A caller purporting to be Captain Greg Savage with the “Erie County Sheriff’s Department Warrants and Citations Division” is telling recipients that he needs to discuss an urgent, ongoing civil matter with them. He is asking recipients to return his call at a phone number with a prefix of 831 (716-831-xxxx). THIS IS A SCAM.Here are some facts: There is currently no “Captain Greg Savage” employed by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. Our office is called the "Erie County Sheriff's Office," not the "Erie County Sheriff's Department". The correct number for the ECSO Warrant Office is (716) 858-3287 Anyone receiving this call should hang up immediately.
March 7 - March 13, 2024
February 29 - March 6, 2024
February 22 - February 28, 2024
Illegal Marijuana Sales - February 2024
Grand Island, N.Y. - Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports the arrest of 23-yearold, Thomas Muscoreil, of Grand Island, following an investigation. On February 27th, following an investigation into illegal marijuana sales out of businesses in the Town of Grand Island, led by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit, Town of Grand Island Search Warrants, signed by Judge Mark Nemeth were executed at the Island Smoke Shop, located at 2423 Grand Island Blvd, and Island Smoke Shop 2, located at 1734 Grand Island Blvd. As a result of the investigation and search warrants, a large amount of cannabis concentrate, cannabis edibles and cannabis flower were recovered at both locations. Additionally, a large amount of US Currency believed to be from illegal marijuana sales was also recovered and seized.The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance as well as other NYS agencies assisted with the investigation. Muscoreil was charged with the following: Criminal Possession of Cannabis 2nd Degree (2 Counts) – Class E Felony. Muscoreil was processed and released on Desk Appearance Ticket.
