The Buffalo Bills don’t want to let drunken “knucklehead” fans spoil the undefeated team’s home opener.
“We’re not perfect. We know that,” Andy Major, Bills vice president of operations and guest experience, told the Buffalo News.
“A small amount of fans will be irresponsible and drink too much. There’s always a few knuckleheads out there who will make it bad for the families.”
Team officials and local cops are taking drastic steps to be ready for Sunday’s home opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, with 300 police officers being joined by another 300 private security guards, according to the report.
They’ll get to use SkyWatch, a 25-foot surveillance tower with high-definition cameras that can scan crowds from hundreds of yards away.
There will also be extra patrols on the roads leading up to New Era Field to enforce open container laws in hope of further curbing the raucous behavior that has marred the team.
“Not that long ago, we averaged 30 (in-stadium) arrests per game and 140 ejections a game. Last year we averaged three arrests and 46 ejections a game,” said Major, who hopes for further improvements this season.
“We want fans to have fun and to be safe.
“Don’t do silly things in the stadium — making the experience for other fans a negative one — or you will be ejected.”