After nearly a decade of guiding Central Florida drivers through their morning commutes and building a loyal following, Trooper Steve is embarking on a new journey. The familiar face from WKMG-TV’s News 6 is leaving the broadcast world to become the director of public information for the City of Apopka.
Steve, who joined News 6 in 2017, never anticipated his role as a traffic safety expert would span nearly a decade. “And here we are almost a decade later. Heck, I didn’t think I’d last two years,” he admitted. His journey from a Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson to a beloved TV personality began when News 6 approached him during Hurricane Irma preparations.
From Patrol to Prime Time
Steve’s transition from law enforcement to television was not initially smooth. He was initially hesitant, believing in maintaining a separation between government work and broadcast journalism. However, News 6’s vision for his role went beyond traditional traffic reporting. “It wasn’t just, ‘You’re a traffic anchor.’ It’s like, ‘No, you actually can look at a crash and tell us how it’s happening,’” he recalled.
Steve agreed to join News 6 with a condition: “I was like, ‘Look, I’ll come over, but you’re going to call me a traffic safety expert… Let’s brand this thing.’” He saw an opportunity to provide real traffic education and humanize law enforcement. His candid and sometimes sarcastic approach resonated with viewers, creating a unique connection.
Engaging the Community
One of Steve’s most popular segments, “What the Honk,” started after viewers began sending him videos and pictures of bad driving. “People are sending me videos, sending me pictures… and I was like, ‘Wait, I talk smack anyway,’” he said. The segment was designed to make viewers part of the show while keeping the focus on safety. “My bosses at the time said you can talk as much smack as you want, but provide the educational side of it,” he explained.
Steve’s role extended beyond traffic reporting. He covered law enforcement funerals, explaining to viewers what they were seeing and why it was important. He also traveled with veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., describing it as a powerful experience. “You’re talking World War Two veterans, Vietnam veterans… go see all these monuments that some of these men and women never have been able to see. But yet they fought in the wars,” he said.
A New Chapter in Apopka
Steve’s next chapter will keep him in public service. As the director of public information for the City of Apopka, he plans to emphasize transparency and proactive communication. “I believe in proactive… communication, transparent, whether you like it or not. I at least want to give you the information,” he said. Steve also wants to elevate local storytelling, including small business partnerships and city employees whose work often goes unseen.
The Apopka City Commission approved Steve’s hiring, expressing excitement about his potential to be the new face of the city. Mayor Nick Nesta championed the hire, stating it would add value to the city. Steve’s salary of $180,000 makes him one of the highest-paid local government spokespeople in Central Florida. Despite concerns about local funding, no one raised issues about his salary during the hiring process.
Steve’s credentials, including his experience as a morning TV anchor and a public affairs officer with the Florida Highway Patrol, made him a strong candidate. He was hired out of an applicant pool of 54. The city reclassified a transportation coordinator position to pay for the new spokesman job. Steve’s responsibilities will include marketing economic development, promoting the Police and Fire Departments, and helping City Commissioners share information about their events.
As Steve prepares to leave News 6, he reflects on the empathy he learned and the daily mission to help people get home safely. “The number one thing I learned from day one to now… is empathy,” he said. His final day on air is July 31, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Apopka.
