CANISTEO, N.Y. -- More than 350 miles from the manhunt that's the talk of the country, residents of Canisteo, Steuben County, are talking about a search much closer to home.
"When I went to play golf Sunday morning, there had to be what seemed like half a dozen or more state troopers in the parking lot up here at the grocery store," said Tom Wood, Canisteo resident.
"There's been state troopers in and out, sherrif's cars, detectives," said Tim Howe, Canisteo resident. "Vehicles have been coming through left and right."
On Tuesday, the police presence remained to a lesser extent. State police were set up on Bush Hill Road.
Many residents said they've heard that a family member of an escapee lives on the road, and there are a lot of places to hide.
"There's a lot of woods, a lot of areas, a lot of camps," Wood said. "Could be at a camp."
Residents said police heavily searched the roads and the woods last weekend.
State police didn't return requests for comment to confirm why they're in the area. Whatever the reason, residents feel better knowing police are in the neighborhood.
"I would have confidence that the police know what they're doing," said Don Siegrist, Jasper resident. "They do their part."
"There's a lot of hunters around here, definitely a lot of aware cops so we're probably pretty safe," Howe said. "Even if they did come through, they would probably keep their heads low."