A Team You Can Trust

At North Star Cabin Watch, you’re not just hiring a service — you’re trusting your property to professionals who’ve spent their careers protecting others.

Steven Tait, owner of North Star Cabin Watch of the Brainerd Lakes Area, Minnesota.

Steven Tait

Founder of North Star Cabin Watch Services

With over 30 years of law enforcement experience, Steven Tait knows exactly what it takes to protect people and property. Before founding North Star Cabin Watch, Steve served in a leadership position with Minnesota’s largest sheriff’s office, where he specialized in public safety, crisis response, and threat assessment. This depth of experience isn’t just impressive—it’s essential. When it comes to safeguarding your home, cabin, or property, there’s no substitute for someone trained to detect problems before they escalate, respond calmly under pressure, and operate with professionalism and integrity every step of the way.

After retiring in 2018, Steve and his wife, Rachelle, relocated to the Brainerd Lakes area. As he settled into the community, he heard a common concern from neighbors and fellow cabin owners: “I just need someone I can trust to keep an eye on things.” That need sparked the idea for North Star Cabin Watch, which Steve officially launched in 2025. His goal is simple—give property owners peace of mind by offering dependable, top-tier watch services led by professionals who know what to look for and how to act when it matters most. Whether it’s signs of forced entry, storm damage, or a utility failure, Steve approaches every property check with the same attention to detail and responsibility that guided his decades in uniform.

Wanting to build a team rooted in those same values, Steve brought on his former boss, Ken Schilling—another highly respected law enforcement veteran with more than 30 years of service. Together, they bring unmatched credibility, a sharp investigative mindset, and a deep understanding of local laws and emergency protocols. At North Star Cabin Watch, you're not just hiring a service—you're trusting your property to professionals who’ve spent their careers protecting others.

Retired law enforcement leader with over 30 years of service in Minnesota’s largest sheriff’s office.


Ken Schilling, employee of North Star Cabin Watch of the Brainerd Lakes Area, Minnesota.

Ken Schilling

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon.

Bio Coming Soon


Group of people, including police officers and children, standing on a snowy sidewalk during daytime, having a serious conversation.

What Sets Us Apart?

As retired law enforcement officers, Steve and Ken apply their background and training to monitor properties while the owners are away. Choosing a home watch service staffed by retired law enforcement professionals offers several practical benefits related to security, reliability, and professionalism. Key advantages include:

✔️ Enhanced Security Expertise: With advanced skills in identifying suspicious activity and assessing potential security risks Steve and Ken are equipped to respond efficiently and appropriately to emergencies ranging from break-ins to natural disasters.

✔️ Trust and Credibility: Their professional backgrounds are grounded in the highest ethical standards, a commitment they continue to uphold in the roles as home watch professionals.

✔️ Attention to Detail: Their investigative training helps them detect subtle changes or irregularities – such as signs of forced entry, water damage, or unusual activity – that might otherwise go unnoticed.

✔️ Relationship Management: With decades of experience in policing communities, large and small, Steve and Ken know how to interact with emergency responders, contractors, neighbors, and community members that we may encounter during a site visit.

✔️ Professionalism: Years of public service have fostered a robust sense of responsibility, effective time management, and a dedication to maintaining exceptional service quality.

✔️ Peace of mind: Clients can be assured that a qualified professional with decades of public safety expertise is safeguarding their property.