ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Erie County Sheriff's Office issued a warning to mischievous Bills fans on Saturday.
The brunt of the message is this: don't throw snowballs, and don't trespass at the new Bills stadium construction site, where additional security will be in place for the 6:30 p.m. Sunday playoff game.
“We all want to see a Bills win on Sunday,” Sheriff John Garcia said in a statement Saturday. “Let’s keep the focus on the field and out of the parking lots.”
Gilbane-Turner, the group managing the construction of the new Bills stadium, increased its security staff at each home game this season. Despite that, 10 people have been charged with criminal trespass for being in the construction zone on Bills gamedays.
The first instance happened on Sept. 17, when a man sustained multiple injuries after falling into the construction pit prior to the Bills' home opener, a 38-10 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fans were also arrested during home games on Oct. 1 (one arrest), Nov. 13 (two arrests), Nov. 19 (three arrests), Dec. 17 (two arrests), and Jan. 15 (one arrest).
The sheriff's office is also asking fans to not throw snowballs, which could results in referees issuing the Bills a warning and drawing a penalty.
Fans who are at Highmark Stadium are also asked to wear bright, visible clothing, especially with the game being played at night. Some pedestrians have been struck near the stadium during the regular season.