ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announces additional law enforcement and security personnel will be deployed throughout Highmark Stadium Sunday for the Bills vs. Jets game, which will potentially be the final game at the venue.
“This game will be just as meaningful for our deputies as it is for Bills Mafia, as this stadium holds a special place in our hearts. But we will not be distracted or deterred from providing quality public safety services for fans attending Sunday’s game,” said Sheriff Garcia. “The Erie County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and Orchard Park Police Department will be in lockstep with security staff in and around Highmark Stadium throughout the day. We will have additional uniformed and undercover personnel, as well as video technology, to ensure a safe environment for fans, players, coaches, officials and staff.”
Anyone who commits a violation or criminal action will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Deputies will be on alert for fans attempting to damage and/or steal stadium property such as seats, turf and signage. Additionally, any individual attempting to enter the field area prior to, during or after the game will face arrest. Sheriff Garcia draws fans’ attention to the following potential criminal charges.
- Criminal Mischief - A person is guilty of:
- criminal mischief in the 4th degree when, having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he or she has such right, he or she intentionally damages property of another person.
- criminal mischief in the 3rd degree (felony) when, with intent to damage property of another person, and having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he or she has such right, he or she damages property of another person in an amount exceeding $250.
- criminal mischief in the 2nd degree (felony) when with intent to damage property of another person, and having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he has such right, he damages property of another person in an amount exceeding $1,500.
- Petit Larceny - A person is guilty of petit larceny when he steals property.
- Grand Larceny - A person is guilty of grand larceny in the 4th degree (felony) when he steals property and when the value of the property exceeds $1,000.
- Criminal Trespass - A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the 3rd degree when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building or upon real property which is fenced or otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders.
In addition to potential criminal charges, fans breaking the law risk revocation of their new Highmark Stadium ticket privileges and a ban from all National Football League stadiums and venues.
Fans are reminded that they have the opportunity to legally purchase seats, turf and goal posts through this link. Fans are further reminded that while Sunday’s event will be the last regular season game at the original Highmark Stadium, it is still possible (and hopeful) that the Bills could host a home playoff game this season.
Sheriff Garcia thanks Bills Mafia for its expected cooperation, its class and its respect to leave Highmark Stadium peacefully with a chorus of Bills cheers like no other fan base can. We all look forward to rooting on our Bills as they march through the playoffs, and we can’t wait to see everybody again as we open the new Highmark Stadium next summer!