Thieves Take Advantage Of Historic Blizzard, Several Businesses Looted In Buffalo

At least two Buffalo businesses were looted during the blizzard. While snow and hurricane-force winds were pummeling the city, thieves took the opportunity to break into businesses. Knowing that the roads were impassable and law enforcement was focused on rescues and emergency operations, some used the opportunity to commit crimes.

During a storm briefing on Sunday, December 26, 2022, Steven A. Nigrelli, the New York State Police Superintendent said,

We have had two confirmed reports of looting incidents where law enforcement has been dispatched and responded. Those are still under investigation as we speak. Those are isolated incidents, and it's not reflective of the great community of Western New York, and I'm sure that they'll be limited to those two incidents or at least that's our hope.

WGRZ reports that they received videos showing looted businesses on Buffalo's west side. It's not clear if these are the same businesses Nigrelli mentioned.
In 2021 (the most up-to-date statistics), there were 16,960 property crimes reported in Erie County - a rate of 1,802.40.

When it comes to thefts - robberies, burglaries, and larcenies - in Buffalo, here are the statistics from the Buffalo Police Department for January through November 2022.

3. Robberies committed (by month) in 2022, so far

52 January
44 February
56 March
42 April
41 May
37 June
37 July
51 August
53 September
44 October
40 November

Total: 497

2. Burglaries committed (by month) in 2022, so far

73 January
79 February
87 March
94 April
102 May
118 June
140 July
126 August
126 September
112 October
85 November

Total: 1142

1. Larcenies committed (by month) in 2022, so far

411 January
365 February
389 March
495 April
457 May
525 June
665 July
614 August
615 September
602 October
409 November

Total: 5547

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