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Police department hopes to wheel out new program
By Shannon Granholm, Quad Community Press
Original article HERE
The Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) hopes to implement a new program that will make the agency more accessible to citizens and encourage residents to experience the outdoors and all the region has to offer.
For the past year CLPD Officer Benjamin Stepan, who is an avid bicyclist, has tried to come up with a bicycling-related project for both the department and residents to enjoy.
“It’s always bugged me. I’ve worked here for 17 years and we have all of these beautiful parks and trails and on these gorgeous summer days they are not getting used. My goal with the program is to get people back outside and enjoying the weather we have to offer,” he said.
The new program is called “Bike with a cop.” Stepan’s hopes to get a group of people together to bicycle around the Quad area at least once a month and maybe twice a month, if there is enough interest in the community. Stepan said he would consider making the program year-round to explore the lakes and trails with fat-tire bikes when they are snow/ice covered, depending on turnout.
“I’m excited for it. I love biking. I am passionate about it and my hope is that I can rub off on some people who are debating on becoming involved in something more active and enjoy our communities,” he said.
Most rides will be family-friendly events and 5 to 6-mile rides. Stepan also hopes to do a longer ride with more serious bicyclists. During the program, there will be guest speakers to talk about their experience with bicycling such as Steve Sylvester, the lead pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Circle Pines, who has competed in the Arrowhead Ultra.
Stepan said Gil Cournoyea, owner of On Time Bike Shop — which opened its doors in Circle Pines in early April — wants to be involved in the program and will talk with participants about basic bike maintenance such as how to check tire pressure, how to lube up a chain and how to clean a bike properly.
The program also meets CLPD’s goal to be transparent with residents.
“It really provides another way to connect with the agency. For years officers have been viewed as being unapproachable and some people even view us as the enemy, and we are far from it,” Stepan explained. “We are just normal guys out here doing our job. This is just another way for people to sit down and chat with a cop.”
During these chats, people can ask officers questions about their job and the rides can be used as an educational opportunity for both parties.
Stepan is currently working out the details of the first event, which will be held in early May. The event will include a short ride around the Golden Lake neighborhood in Circle Pines. Midsummer, Stepan hopes to organize a ride starting out at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park in Centerville, which will go around Centerville Lake and through the Chain of Lakes.
For more information about the program, or to learn about upcoming rides, visit CLPD’s Facebook page or email Stepan at bstepan@clpdmn.com. CLPD is also starting up Coffee with a Cop at 8 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month at Matthew’s Family Restaurant in Circle Pines, starting May 3.
