Sterling police and fire departments bolster ranks, hire 2 police officers, 2 firefighters

STERLING — The Sterling City Council swore in new personnel for both the city’s police and fire departments during a council meeting on Monday.

A crowd of over 60 people, including city officials, police, firefighters and their families, packed the room at Sterling’s City Hall to witness the event. Sterling Police Chief Alex Chavira addressed new officers Brandon Jagitsch of Dixon and Kolten Smith of Rock Falls before they were sworn in.

“Remember to make every decision on the streets with the victims in mind, and don’t forget why we do this job,” Chavira said. “The Academy is only foundational, and you should strive to learn something new every day. The badge is not a shield of protection. It just recognizes you as a law enforcement officer. Treat everyone with dignity and respect and remember you’re part of something bigger and better.”

SPD will still need to hire three more individuals to reach a full roster of 29 officers.

Sterling Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief David Northcutt said new firefighters – 22-year-old Garrett Helfrich of Dixon and 25-year-old Justin Kalina of Lanark – will attend the Rockford Fire Academy in March. These new hires fill the ranks for SFD, which will have six firefighters available for all three shifts and one person who can float between shifts as needed.

The City Council also approved paying $353,985 to Landscape Structures for Riverfront Playground Equipment. The City Council on Aug. 7, 2023, approved a proposal from NuToys/Landscape Structures for playground equipment for Riverfront Park. City Manager Scott Schumard said the equipment has been delivered to Public Works and is in storage until the park is ready for placement in summer 2025.

The yet-to-be-named riverfront park at 201 Wallace St., is the city’s first step toward a $300 million project known as Riverfront Reimagined. The new park at the former Northwestern Steel and Wire Mill site will include a multi-age accessible playground, splash pad, plaza, park shelter, stage facility and restrooms. The city awarded a $4.7 million bid to Sjostrom and Sons, Inc. of Rockford on Sept. 16 and expects the majority of the work will be finished by June 2025, with a tentative opening the following month.

The City Council also approved an amendment to the city code increasing the number of liquor licenses. The city was approached by Edgar Xique, the owner of Primo’s Bar & Grill, seeking a liquor license.

Primo’s Bar & Grill is located at 1711 W. Fourth St., the site formerly occupied by the Wagon Wheel. The Liquor Commission reviewed the request before the City Council meeting and made a recommendation to approve amending the city ordinance to accommodate the additional license.

The City Council meets on the first floor of Council Chambers, 212 Third Ave., Sterling, at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of every month. The meeting can be viewed on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88377275440.