“Just about every opportunity I can–when the weather cooperates and the staffing levels do–I get out on the bike,” said Stepan.
For more than 20 years with the department, he’s taken the two-wheeled approach to patrols.
A beautiful late summer afternoon brought him into contact with dozens of people as he rode around Centerville and Centerville Lake.
“This is where our community members are. We’re Minnesotans,” he said. “We love this weather.”
But he also thinks the bicycle allows officers to better reach some parts of the Centennial Lakes coverage area–Centerville, Circle Pines, and Lexington–straddling Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park and Lino Lakes.
“There’s certain areas that, if I’m in a given area and need to respond to a given location, I can respond more quickly on the bicycle due to the paths and a more direct route,” he said.
It also allows him specific reasons to interact with all ages, like the “Bike With a Cop” events each summer with Centerville’s Cub Scout Pack 432.
“The kids all know me as ‘the bike cop’ now and it’s fun to see their smiles when I come rolling up on the bicycle,” Stepan said.
