Area patrols are initiated by a road patrol member when visiting a specific township, village, hamlet, or area of Steuben County. This patrol is completed after a minimum of 20 minutes in the general community area. This type of patrol is used to interact with citizens of the community or to check on the status of the area. Generally, a patrol should park or patrol the area with a specific emphasis on public relations and interaction with citizens. The Sheriff, during his annual Town/Village/City Board visits, receives information of concern to the citizens in which the Sheriff's Office can help. Frequently area patrols are used to assist an area in the county with their concerns.