Erie County is a metropolitan center located on the western border of New York State. The county is home to over 946,000 residents and accounts for 11.26% of the state's population. This makes it the 8th most populous county in New York State. Erie County's economy is driven by education, health care, and banking. The major cities and towns in the county include Buffalo (county seat), Lackawanna, Tonawanda, Amherst, and Lancaster.
Erie County's average violent crime rate stands at 351 per 100,000 people, which is less than the national average of 359. On the other hand, the county's property crime rate is at 2,079 per 100,000, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1,760.
The primary law enforcement agency in Erie County is the Sheriff's Office. The Erie County Sheriff's Office is charged with maintaining the peace in all municipalities, villages, and townships within its jurisdiction and with the care and custody of persons pending court action.
In New York, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) maintains the official arrest record. The Erie County government does not keep these records. To obtain your personal criminal history, you are required to submit fingerprints directly to DCJS. Although agencies like the Erie County Sheriff's Office may have been involved in making the arrest, the state ensures that the DCJS keeps the formal record.
Multiple agencies, including the county sheriff, local city police, state police, federal authorities, and campus police, carry out law enforcement in Erie County.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office is responsible for county-level arrest logs and jail rosters. These records are forwarded to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, where they are stored permanently. The county sheriff's office manages:
Local police departments, such as those in Buffalo and Tonawanda, enforce laws within their municipal boundaries. While they conduct arrests and maintain their own records, individuals are usually booked into the Erie County jail.
State police or the New York Highway Patrol handle highway enforcement and broader investigations. Arrests made in Erie County by these agencies often result in individuals being processed through the county jail. After processing an individual, their records are logged and transmitted to the state's Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security may investigate and arrest for violations of federal laws and regulations. These offenses include terrorism, drug trafficking, immigration, and cybercrime. Note that federal arrests typically do not show up in county records unless the individual is temporarily housed in the Erie County jail.
Campus police departments, such as the University of Buffalo, manage incidents on university property. They provide safety and security for students and staff, and details about their operations can be found through their official websites or by contacting them directly.
Arrest records in Erie County typically contain the following details:
Note that the exact details available in arrest records vary. The differences often depend on the responsible agency, the jurisdiction, and the nature of the case. Some parts of a record may be withheld. This usually happens to comply with privacy rules, safeguard juveniles, or avoid interfering with ongoing investigations.
Annually, Erie County reports about 3,326 violent crimes and 19,671 property crimes. The average violent crime rate is 351 per 100,000 residents, slightly lower than the national average. In contrast, property crimes average 2,079 per 100,000, which is higher than the national average.
The table below shows a breakdown of arrest statistics in Erie County:
Arrest Total | Yearly Average |
|---|---|
Arrest Rate per 100,000 | 2,857 |
Adult Arrests | 11,000 |
Juvenile Arrests | 330 |
Crime Type | |
Murder | 87 |
Rape | 267 |
Robbery | 742 |
Aggravated Assault | 2,130 |
Burglary | 2,373 |
Larceny | 14,718 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 2,580 |
Arson | - |
Source: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
Common Warrant Types in Erie County, NY
Several types of warrants may appear in public arrest records in Erie County. Warrants are issued by the courts for different legal reasons and may result in the arrest of an individual and their booking into the county jail. Although the terminology and procedures can vary slightly depending on state law, the following are the most common types of warrants:
An arrest warrant is issued when law enforcement or a prosecutor shows probable cause that a person committed a crime. These warrants often appear in arrest logs and can be executed by authorized officers.
A bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone fails to appear in court or comply with a court order. It is one of the most common warrant types found in county arrest records.
A civil capias warrant is issued in civil court cases when someone disobeys a court order, such as failing to appear or comply. It can lead to arrest and booking despite originating in a civil matter.
A fugitive warrant is issued when a person is wanted in another county or state. Such cases often involve extradition and will show up in county arrest logs if the person is arrested locally.
A governor's warrant is a formal warrant issued by a state governor to initiate extradition between states. While less common, it can appear in arrest or court records for interstate cases.
A search warrant authorizes law enforcement to search property or seize evidence. While not arrest warrants, searches may lead to arrests and be reflected in related cases or arrest reports.
In New York, the Division of Criminal Justice Services provides access to arrest records. These records are preserved in secure databases and physical archives. Note that privacy rules and the circumstances of each case limit public access.
You may also check the inmate search or jail roster to see who is currently booked at the county jail. In addition, you can make public records requests directly, either in person or by mail, to the records division of the Erie County Sheriff's Office.
The following are jail and detention facilities in Erie County:
Agency Name: Erie County Sheriff's Office
City: Buffalo, New York
Type: County law enforcement agency
Address: 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone Number: 716-858-7618
Website: https://www4.erie.gov/sheriff/
Staffing: The Erie County Sheriff's Office employs over 400 personnel
Police Department | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Buffalo Police Department | 68 Court Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 | (716) 851-4444 |
Tonawanda Police Department | 1835 Sheridan Dr, Buffalo, NY 14223 | (716) 876-5300 |
Agency Name: Erie County Holding Center / Correctional Facility
State: New York
City: Buffalo
Type: County detention facility
Address: 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202
Phone Number: 716-858-7618
Website: https://www4.erie.gov/sheriff/jail-management-division
Facility Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Erie County Correctional Facility | 10 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14202 | (716) 858-7618 |
Wende Correctional Facility | 3040 Wende Rd, Alden, NY 14004 | (716) 937-4000 |
Erie County Youth Services Detention Center | 810 E Ferry Street, Buffalo, NY 14211 | (716) 923-4000 |