Imagine sitting on your front porch, simply relaxing and enjoying life. Suddenly, someone drives by and tosses a beer can in your yard. What would you do? You’d undoubtedly be annoyed, but you’d probably just clean it up.
Or, in a more serious example, what if you witnessed a blatant crime transpiring just down the street? You wouldn’t ignore it. You’d likely call the authorities.
Most of us take pride in our homes, and we care about the safety of our neighborhoods. We want to protect our neighbors and our property alike.
The same should be true for your Lakewalk.
Duluth’s Lakewalk is more than just a path along the Lake Superior shoreline. It is a nearly 8-mile-long “community backyard;” YOUR backyard.
Destination Duluth recently had the opportunity to visit with Community Officer Jeremy O’Connor with the Duluth Police Department (DPD). Among his other responsibilities, Officer O’Connor oversees the DPD’s bike patrol program. The officers on bicycles (and now, e-bikes, too) are those tasked with handling incidents along the Lakewalk.
We asked him how the average person should handle a variety of situations they might encounter on the Lakewalk, including:
- Litter on the ground
- Witnessing a crime
- Encountering a panhandler or an unhoused person
- Observing a medical emergency, such as an unresponsive person
Unfortunately, situations like this do happen. However, O’Connor stressed that the Lakewalk remains a very safe place to visit.
He shared that there are roughly 1,500 “citizen contacts” every year, initiated by DPD’s bike patrol officers. While some stem from a criminal incident, most of these contacts are positive, such as giving directions, answering questions, or giving a sticker badge to a child.
“The crime on the Lakewalk is usually low-level stuff,” he noted. “Things like people camping, having an illegal fire, or drinking in public. Other than that, the Lakewalk is a really safe place, and a good way to get around and enjoy Duluth.”
Litter
O’Connor shared that the DPD works closely with the City of Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Department. Parks & Rec has placed garbage cans and recycling bins in strategic locations along the entire Lakewalk route.
This makes it very convenient to toss your own trash. Perhaps you’re also willing to act as a good Samaritan and throw away any trash you see on the ground, too.
“We appreciate when people just pick up garbage themselves,” O’Connor said. “But you can always call Parks & Rec and report it to them, too. Their phone number is (218) 730-5000.
“We do ask people to be cautious about syringes or needles, though,” he added. “They are much more of an issue in the last few years.
“Again, you can call Parks & Rec with any questions, or if you feel unsafe. Parks & Rec can call us for anything they need assistance with, and the DPD will respond accordingly.”
Crime or Medical Emergencies
If you happen to witness a crime or see someone having a medical emergency, it’s always best to call 911. “We advise people to call in and report anything where they believe safety could be a concern,” O’Connor said. “This could include someone who is unresponsive, or any other situation where someone’s welfare is at risk.”
In these instances, an officer will be dispatched right away. Whoever responds will likely show up on a bicycle or an e-bike – a very convenient mode of transportation for the Lakewalk.
Fun fact: each summer, the DPD’s bike patrol puts roughly 2,500 miles on their bikes while patrolling Duluth!
Panhandling
O’Connor shared that panhandling is considered freedom of speech and is therefore a protected activity. Thus, it is allowed, as long as it doesn’t escalate to the level of harassment.
In these instances, he recommends simply ignoring it and going about your business. “If they aren’t bothering you or others, it’s probably best not to confront them or engage,” he said.
And, while every individual must do what’s right for them, O’Connor said that if you want to help, you may want to consider making a donation to a local non-profit. “For those who want to give, we recommend that people donate to places like CHUM, the Damiano Center, or the Union Gospel Mission. Your dollars will usually go farther this way.”
Unhoused
If you witness someone making a temporary home on the Lakewalk – or any of the adjacent beaches – Officer O’Connor suggests calling 911. Not because these individuals would be in any trouble, but rather, because the responding officer may be able to help.
“The responding officer will provide resources and try to help,” he noted. “A lot of the time, we recognize individuals from prior contacts at other locations or calls. We are often familiar with their situation and can provide assistance.”
An Officer who Cares
Officer O’Connor is a Duluth native himself and cares deeply about keeping our community safe and clean. He has been with the DPD since 2015.
A graduate of Denfeld High School, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and UMD, he makes his home here in Duluth with his wife, Jena, and their dog, Kallie – a 7-year-old Black Lab.
During the workday, Kallie is Officer O’Connor’s K9 partner. She is trained to sniff out explosives, guns, and shell casings. But after hours, she is a much beloved pet.
“Kallie is always with me,” he noted. “She rides along in my squad car and has a comfy kennel in the car. I can monitor the car’s internal temperature with an app on my phone. As a reward for doing her job, she enjoys a good game of tug of war or playing fetch with her Kong toy.
“Then when we get home, she enjoys being off-duty,” he added. “She really loves to swim. And she tries to take advantage of Jena by looking for scraps of food,” he added with a laugh.
O’Connor loves living and working in Duluth. Some of his hobbies include biking, ice hockey, ice fishing, and attending events at Bayfront.
Fulfilling Job
O’Connor finds it deeply fulfilling to protect and serve his hometown community, including our beloved Lakewalk. “I just really enjoy making a difference in the community and building relationships with people,” he said.
If you see Officer O’Connor (and Kallie) out and about, please feel free to say hello. These friendly faces – and many others – are working hard to keep our city safe and clean, and always welcome a kind word of greeting.
Life on YOUR Lakewalk is part of Destination Duluth’s “Life Up North” series, created to highlight one of the city’s most treasured public spaces. The Lakewalk stretches eight miles along the greatest of the Great Lakes, offering everything from front-row views of 1,000-foot freighters and breathtaking sunrises to quiet moments of serenity just steps from the city.
Through stories, historic insight, and photography, this series shows how the Lakewalk is far more than a path. Once an industrial wasteland, it is now a symbol of community, resilience, and pride. It reflects what Duluth values most — public access, natural beauty, history, and connection. Whether a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, the Lakewalk is yours to enjoy. It is your view, your shoreline, your legacy.
