Erie County Sheriff's Dept. Report 2025
Erie County Sheriff's Dept. Official Website
January 30 - February 5, 2025
Message from Sheriff Garcia - January 2025
BUFFALO, N.Y. – We’re now more than halfway through the winter season – we hope. Erie County residents living in the Southtowns know that mother nature has been relentless over the past couple of months. Those living in the Northtowns haven’t exactly been let off the hook either. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 498 fatal traffic crashes and about 32,000 more injury accidents that occurred in snowy or icy conditions in 2022. Even though we are in the middle of the season, it’s a good idea to highlight some reminders about winter weather driving.The NHTSA offers these tips:
Back off the vehicle in front of you, increasing your distance so that you can safely stop when that vehicle breaks.
Make sure your tires are inflated to the appropriate pressure. Don’t leave your tires underinflated.
Routinely check your vehicle’s battery and lights to ensure they are functioning properly.
Fill your vehicle’s reservoir with coolant and make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid.
Know the safety features of your vehicle, including the antilock brake system.
Keep your vehicle stocked with a shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, first aid kit and blankets.
And finally, don’t crowd the plow! Our colleagues at the Erie County DPW work hard to keep roads safe during winter weather events. Let them do their job. You can find more safety information on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. Nobody ever leaves their house expecting to get into a traffic accident. We all must be prepared for the unpredictable. The winter season also highlights the importance of New York State’s Move Over Law. Don’t get me wrong; it is important to follow the Move Over Law all 12 months of the year. But we all know how easy it is to lose control on a patch of black ice or snow. If you don’t give sufficient room to emergency and utility vehicles parked on the side of the road, you are increasing the risk. I take the safety of my deputies extremely seriously. With that in mind, I ask for your cooperation. Warmer days and safer driving conditions are ahead! In the meantime, let’s do our part to protect ourselves on the roads.
January 23 - January 29, 2025
January 16 - January 22, 2025
Bills Vs. Ravens Information - January 2025
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announces the following information for the Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium. The game will begin Sunday, January 19 th at approximately 6:30 p.m. See Info.
January 9 - January 15, 2025
January 2 - January 8, 2025
Bills Vs. Broncos Information - January 2025
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announces the following information for the Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium. The game will begin Sunday, January 12th at 1:00 p.m. Sheriff Garcia recommends all guests review Highmark Stadium maps to locate the best location in which to park and gate at which to enter. Additionally, all fans are reminded to familiarize themselves with the list of prohibited items at Highmark Stadium in order to avoid delays at the gates.ABBOTT ROAD
Abbott Road in front of the stadium closes to north and southbound traffic at 8 a.m.
This section of Abbott Road will remain closed until after the game
ROUTE 20A (BIG TREE ROAD)
Prior to the conclusion of the game (approximately 3:30 p.m.), Route 20A from Fieldhouse Drive to Rte. 219 will convert to two-lane, one-way traffic headed eastbound away from the stadium
Prior to the conclusion of the game (approximately 3:30 p.m.), Route 20A from Abbott Road to Southwestern Boulevard will convert to two-lane, one-way traffic headed westbound away from the stadium
STADIUM LOTS
All stadium lots open at 9 a.m. Drivers are asked NOT to park on the shoulder of the roadways for pedestrian safety
Lot 3 is closed due to new stadium construction
The Bus & Limo lot is located on the north side of the stadium along Southwestern Blvd.
All stadium parking lots require an advanced-purchase parking pass (except Lot 2-ADA and Lot 6-ADA)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Intoxicated and unmanageable guests will NOT be permitted entry into the stadium
Stadium gates will open at 11:00 a.m.
For a map of the stadium and parking lots, visit: https://www.buffalobills.com/stadium/
Sheriff Announces Friendly Wager - January 2025
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia and Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins today announced a friendly wager ahead of Sunday’s Super Wild Card matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos. In a video posted on the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, Sheriff Garcia offered to send La Nova chicken wings to the Denver Sheriff Department should the Broncos beat the Bills. “The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is proud to work with the Buffalo Bills all season long to keep Highmark Stadium safe,” said Sheriff Garcia. “We are looking forward to the Wild Card matchup with the Broncos, just as much as we are looking forward to enjoying lunch on Sheriff Diggins and the fine men and women of the Denver Sheriff Department. Go Bills!” Sheriff Diggins is offering to send Colorado steaks to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office if the Bills win. “We gladly accept Sheriff Garcia and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office friendly wager. We look forward to Buffalo's famous chicken wings when our Denver Broncos roll into Buffalo and as we say out west, get-er-done,” said Sheriff Diggins. The Bills and Broncos game will kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 12.Sheriff's Message - January 2025
BUFFALO, N.Y. – As we kick off a new year, the men and women of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office continue to amaze me with their dedication, professionalism and integrity. I am proud of everything they have accomplished in 2024 and look forward to seeing what they achieve in 2025. I thank them, and you for your support of my staff as we continue to serve you.Human trafficking is one of the important topics we focused on last year. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It is an important issue to highlight, as there are often misconceptions associated with it. Human trafficking is not what you see portrayed in the movies, on television or even on social media. Rather, it is a crime of exploitation through force, fraud or coercion. Its victims require a trauma-informed and victim-centered response. In addition to conducting investigations, it is necessary for our deputies to connect them with our community partners so they can receive the care they need.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office is proud to be the law enforcement lead for the Western District of New York – Human Trafficking Task Force. In this role, we partner with the Department of Justice to serve 17 counties across Western New York. Not only do we receive referrals for criminal investigation from Non-Governmental Organizations. We also receive, evaluate and disseminate all tips obtained through the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Polaris Project, Crime Stoppers and various other websites and agencies. This is just another example of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office serving as a regional asset to neighbors across Western New York.
Awareness is a critical component of how we address this issue. Throughout 2024, we conducted extensive training and outreach. In all, we held 24 events, instructing more than 1,300 people on human trafficking awareness and investigations. These events focused on community partners in the medical, banking, hospitality, child and family services and law enforcement fields. We proudly partnered with the Seneca Nation of Indians so that its hospitality employees could be trained on the drivers and indicators of trafficking.
If someone you know is a human trafficking victim, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Services are free and confidential. As we enter a new year, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office will continue to focus on this important topic. We are thankful for the support of our partners and you – the residents we serve.