Heavy Traffic, Police Patrols Expected for Bills Home Opener
WBEN Newsroom Reporting
Buffalo, NY -- Local law enforcement agencies will been out in full force in Orchard Park for the Buffalo Bills' home opener Sunday afternoon.
Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard says deputies from his office, along with State Police and Orchard Park Police, will have extra patrols in the area near Ralph Wilson Stadium. Along with increased police presence, fans should also expect numerous DWI sobriety checkpoints.
Fans should also expect extra security at the Ralph. The NFL is instituting new policies this year, including a rule which allows security officers to deny entry to anyone deemed to be highly intoxicated.NFL Chief of Security, Milt Allrich tells WBEN the league is making a concerted effort to control rowdy and potentially dangerous fan behavior.
The parking lots at the Ralph will, however, still open up to tailgaters five hours before the 4:05 kickoff.
Howard is also advising fans attending the game to leave themselves extra time for travel both to and from the stadium. New traffic patterns and lane restrictions are in place at the "Seven Corners" intersection in Orchard Park, and police will be helping to direct stadium traffic there. Fans who usually head home to the northtowns via the 190 will need to follow detours; all of the northbound lanes of the 190 between the Peace Bridge and Ontario Street will remain shut down for construction work through Monday morning.
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