The Buffalo Bills and Orchard Park Police held a meeting with private parking lot owners Tuesday night to address some security concerns ahead of the Buffalo Bills home opener Thursday.
Police have passed a resolution to approve issuing commercial parking permits for businesses for the upcoming season, ranging from $100 to $250. Now the conversation is shifting to the private lots, where people park on residential property.
Officials say it's all for the protection of the fan. With the new permits, the private lots could be patrolled by police and other law enforcement officials.
Many private lot owners tell 7 Eyewitness New they are against the idea because they feel they are being punished for the bad actions in one or two private parking lots. The Orchard Park Town Board would still have to approve the change for it to go into effect.
"We have a duty to respond when people get hurt when people get burned," said Orchard Park Police Chief Mark Pacholec. "We will always fulfill our duties, but we're looking for another tool to be proactive."
"We need the neighbors to park cars and we appreciate that," said Andy Major, Vice President of Operations and Guest Experience. "Most of the lot owners never have an issue, but some do and that's what we would like to try to help with."
Erie County Sheriff's say the issue goes deeper than just bad fan behavior because having un-patrolled parking lots around the stadium property offers opportunities for crime and terrorism.
The Bills will host a second meeting with lot owners later in the season.
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