Buffalo’s Military Police deploy to enforce the driving ban in the midst of Blizzard chaos

New York state and military police were sent to keep people from driving on Buffalo’s roads on Tuesday following a significant snowstorm that left dozens dead.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz warned that police would be stationed at entrances to Buffalo and at major intersections to enforce a ban on driving within New York’s second-most populous city.

“Too many people are ignoring the ban,” Democrat Poloncarz announced the move during a news conference held Tuesday. Poloncarz announced that 100 military police officers and state troopers will be stationed on Buffalo in order to enforce the ban.

“DO NOT try to drive in or into the City of Buffalo. The driving ban remains,” The county executive is also available wrote on Twitter. “We are in an ongoing State of Emergency and a driving ban remains for the City of Buffalo. You can absolutely go out and walk to check on neighbors, go to open stores, etc. But do not drive,” He also wrote.

Officials said more than 30 people had died in the region, including seven storm-related deaths that Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown’s office announced Tuesday. This toll exceeds the 29 deaths caused by the historic Blizzard in 1977. It was blamed on killing many people in a region notorious for severe winter weather.

Monday’s New York State Police statement stated that troopers assist in search and rescue. However, it added that they were not currently assisting. “driving ban” It is still in force. “Stay off the roads, unnecessary vehicles traveling hinder crews from rescue and rescue,” It said.

According to the National Weather Service, as much as 2 inches was predicted. snow Tuesday could see flooding in Erie County. The county includes Buffalo and its 275,000 residents. County Emergency Services Commissioner Dan Neaverth Jr. indicated that officials are also concerned about flooding during the week’s weather.