Lancaster Town Supervisor Bob Leary is calling for a public apology after Buffalo Police officials referenced Lancaster while discussing the chaotic Fourth of July weekend street takeover that left 11 people shot in Buffalo.
The dispute stems from a July 6 Buffalo Police press conference about the violence around East Delavan Avenue, Grider Street, Stevens Avenue and nearby blocks. Buffalo Police Commissioner Erika Shields said the department had been tracking a promoted street party and planned street takeover, and E-District Chief Todd McAlister added that people at the event came from outside the immediate neighborhood, including from areas such as Lancaster.
That comment quickly drew a response from Leary, who told WBEN he was “shocked and appalled” that Lancaster was singled out. Leary said he believes Buffalo officials were deflecting blame and creating division by naming Lancaster without producing evidence that Lancaster residents were responsible for the violence.
WBEN reported that, according to Leary, no one from Lancaster had been arrested in Buffalo during that time period. Leary also argued that suburban communities are dealing with crime spilling out from Buffalo, including stolen vehicles and other incidents, and said he intends to defend the town.
The controversy comes after a violent holiday weekend in Buffalo. Police said 11 people were shot over a two-hour period, with victims ranging in age from 13 to 51. Shields blamed the unrest on an illegal, social-media-promoted event that overwhelmed parts of the East Side and said the city is looking at cease-and-desist and possible legal action against the promoter.
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan later said the gathering drew young people from across Erie County and that police identified vehicles from multiple communities, including Lancaster, during their response. Ryan said the city’s message moving forward is that illegal street takeovers will not be tolerated and that parents need to know where their children are going on major holiday weekends.
Still, Lancaster officials say Buffalo’s public comments went too far.
The issue now is whether City Hall or Buffalo Police will clarify the remarks or apologize to Lancaster. As of Wednesday afternoon, local reports had not confirmed that a public apology had been issued.
Why It Matters
The fight over Lancaster’s mention is more than a suburban-vs-city political argument. It raises questions about how police communicate during major incidents, how regional communities are described when violence crosses municipal lines, and whether public officials should name specific towns before arrests or evidence are made public.
For Buffalo, the focus remains on illegal street takeovers, violence prevention and accountability for the organizers. For Lancaster, the concern is reputational: town leaders do not want their community publicly tied to a violent event without proof.
