ORCHARD PARK, NY - Tens of thousands of fans are expected to be at this Sunday's sold out Bills game at the Ralph. For fans who consume alcohol, police want them to know to be careful where they drink around the stadium.
Last year for the first two home games at the Ralph, fans who were in violation of Orchard Park's open container law were given a warning.
"Just, hey, this is a new town ordinance, people were asked to dispose of their alcohol," said Chief Mark Pacholec of Orchard Park police.
This year, fans who violate the law won't be so lucky, and, according to police, will get tickets on the spot.
"Because, it's just like when a new law gets put into effect, any other new law, seat belts, when seat belts became mandatory you don't every year give warnings on seat belts," Pacholec said.
Before the start of the 2013 Bills season, the Town of Orchard Park passed a law restricting people from carrying alcohol in open containers in public places like sidewalks and town parks. The law also applies to areas around Ralph Wilson Stadium, where problems related to excessive drinking have been common during home games.
Police, along with the Erie County Sheriff's Office came together to crackdown on the drinking.
"As far as the stadium area it's all the walkways, the roads leading up to the stadium area," Pacholec said.
After the first two home games last season, police began issuing citations to fans who violate the open container law. Last season, police issued 354 tickets.
And this season, police will pick up where they left off.
REPORTER: Some people may think that this is just a money grab, a way for the town to get more money, is it?
PACHOLEC: "It's not, as I said, it's a behavioral issue."
Areas where the open container law is not enforced include, public and private lots. And a stretch of Abbott Road to the west of the stadium between Southwestern Boulevard and One Bills Drive. This area is closed for foot traffic.
Open container violations can vary in cost -- from $50 to as high as $250. Orchard Park police say for Bills games, there's a unit of about six officers that specifically look for quality of life issues, like open container violations.
This preseason, police issued few open container tickets -- around 30 or so -- because there weren't large crowds and police didn't have many problems with fans. Police say you're okay drinking at your parking spot in an eligible public or private lot. But, if you go toward the stadium with an open can, that's where police will be looking for you.
