ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — September 24, 2026

Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia issued a strongly worded statement Thursday following the Erie County Legislature’s approval of a new police services agreement involving events at KeyBank Center.

According to Garcia, the Legislature approved 26Comm. 16E-33, an agreement that provides for Erie County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement services at KeyBank Center events.

Garcia said the agreement is expected to generate at least $1.955 million in revenue for Erie County over the next three years.

The Sheriff said his staff negotiated a 20% increase in reimbursement during the first year, followed by additional increases of more than 10% during the second and third years of the agreement.

Garcia argued that the agreement benefits county taxpayers and criticized Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick over comments Hardwick reportedly made during a caucus meeting earlier Thursday.

“There is no world where this is a bad deal for Erie County taxpayers,” Garcia said in the statement.

Sheriff Says Arena Events Require Significant Police Presence

Garcia said large events held at KeyBank Center require a substantial law enforcement presence because of the number of people attending.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office has provided security and public-safety services during major arena events, and Garcia said deputies train throughout the year for large public gatherings.

“The Erie County Sheriff’s Office accepts the obligation to secure these events and assures fans that their safety is our top priority,” Garcia said. “We train year-round so that Erie County residents can attend arena events knowing that they are protected. Our deputies won’t waver.”

Legislature Approves Agreement

According to Garcia’s statement, 10 Erie County legislators voted in favor of the agreement, while one legislator voted against it.

Garcia also criticized the opposing lawmaker’s record on previous Sheriff’s Office proposals, characterizing that legislator as someone who has voted against numerous law-enforcement initiatives brought before the Legislature.

The Sheriff did not limit his criticism to the Legislature.

Garcia sharply criticized Comptroller Hardwick, accusing him of improperly using the issue for political attention and pointing to disputes involving county payments and employee travel reimbursements.

Those allegations were made by Garcia in his statement and have not been independently verified by Erie County Blotter.

Dispute Centers on Cost and Reimbursement

The disagreement appears to center on whether the KeyBank Center police-services arrangement provides adequate reimbursement to Erie County for the Sheriff’s Office personnel and resources used during arena events.

Garcia maintains that the newly approved agreement significantly improves reimbursement and creates additional revenue for county government.

The Sheriff described efforts to prevent the agreement from moving forward as financially irresponsible.

At this time, Erie County Blotter has not independently reviewed the full agreement, associated financial documents, or the Comptroller’s complete remarks from Thursday’s caucus meeting.

This story will be updated if additional documentation or responses from Erie County officials become available.

Source: Statement issued by Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia regarding the Erie County Legislature’s approval of 26Comm. 16E-33, the KeyBank Center Police Services Agreement.