County exec blasts Bills fans' behavior

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says it's fine to have a beer or two, but Buffalo Bills fans need to be mindful of others.

Orchard Park Police arrested 24 people during Thursday's game against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium, and State Police arrested seven. Poloncarz says incidents like this give our area a black eye.

"We had four times as many requests for ambulances to take people to hospitals last night than normal. There was people that were trying to get through the gate whether they had tickets or not, and I'm not so sure that pepper spray was used," Poloncarz said.

A man from Ontario, Canada was struck by a car on Southwestern Boulevard just before the game ended and was seriously injured. Police say he was trying to beat traffic.

Poloncarz said, "There was lost of drunken behavior, more drunken behavior I think than we've ever heard of at a football game, including fights and things like that. We're supposedly the City of Good Neighbors."

And tragically, one man died after the Bills game. Twenty-six-year-old David Gerken, Jr. of Palmyra was kicked out of the game and separated from his friends. His body was found Friday morning in a creek bed at the bottom of a steep ravine. Police have not said if his death is alcohol-related.

"Generally security inside the facility is maintained by the Bills in conjunction with the Erie County Sheriff's Office and Orchard Park Police. I've not go reason to believe at this point that security functions and protocol were not followed. If anything they probably were followed," Poloncarz said.

The Bills beat the Dolphins 19-14, stopping a last minute drive with a game-ending interception.