Sartell Public Safety

10/31/2026

Winter Parking Reminder!

As we head into the winter months, we want to share a friendly reminder about the City of Sartell's winter parking restrictions.

Beginning November 1st through March 31st, parking is not permitted on city streets or alleyways between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

We understand that winter parking restrictions can be an inconvenience, but they play an important role in helping crews safely and efficiently clear our streets during the winter months.

We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation in helping keep Sartell's streets safe and accessible throughout the winter season!

10/28/2026

🌟EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: LIEUTENANT CHRIS MORSE🌟

This week, we’re proud to introduce Lieutenant Christopher “Chris” Morse with Sartell Fire! Chris joined the department in January 2017, and nearly 10 years later, he says becoming a firefighter has become a much bigger part of his life than he ever expected.

Chris’s path to the fire service started with a little encouragement from retired Sartell firefighter Bill Sieben. After attending the Sartell Fire Department Open House in 2016 and meeting members of the department, Chris decided to apply—and officially joined a few months later.

What started as an opportunity to serve his community quickly became something more. “Joining the Sartell Fire Department was like discovering an entirely new family that I never knew was out there.”

As a Lieutenant, Chris especially enjoys the opportunity to lead, teach, mentor and support other firefighters. He takes pride in watching newer members grow in their abilities and confidence while continuing to learn and improve himself.

For Chris, serving Sartell is also personal. He and his wife, Julie, have raised their children, Lauren and Wyatt, here, and Sartell has become home. Outside of the fire department, Chris has worked in sales with Renewal by Andersen for the past 18 years. He enjoys spending time with his family at their cabin, boating, fishing, skiing, ice fishing, attempting to golf, and following the kids’ activities.

One of Chris’s favorite fire department traditions is Fire Safety Week, when Sartell kindergarteners visit the station. He enjoys their excitement over the trucks and equipment, but more importantly, the opportunity to teach children that firefighters are there to help and shouldn’t be scary during an emergency.

Chris shared one final message for the community: “Hopefully you never need us. But if you do, we’ll be there.”

Thank you, Lieutenant Morse, for your dedication to Sartell Fire and the community we serve!

10/27/2026

We're excited to share that our very own Sartell Police K-9, Echo, has been selected as one of three real-life public safety K-9s featured in Firehouse Subs' new K-9 Crew Plushie Collection!

Beginning October 28, community members can purchase an Echo plushie at participating Firehouse Subs locations. Not only is it a fun way to celebrate one of Sartell's own public safety heroes, but 100% of net profits from each plushie sold will support the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and its mission of providing lifesaving equipment and resources to first responders.

Help us celebrate Echo and support public safety by picking one up while supplies last!

Find out more by visiting Firehouse Subs news release: https://bit.ly/4irkLSt

10/27/2026

Take note of this for your Thursday afternoon commute! Please use caution in this area.

Please be advised that on Thursday, October 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., a temporary lane shift will be in place on County Road 1, between 1st Street North and 4th Street North (in front of DeZURIK).

Motorists should expect reduced speeds and possible traffic delays during this time. If you're traveling through the area, please use caution, follow all posted traffic signs, and be mindful of construction crews working nearby.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

10/25/2026

During the week of October 26, residents may notice white smoke coming from manholes, storm drains, roof vents, yards, and other outdoor locations around the west side of Sartell as the City conducts sanitary sewer smoke testing with assistance from City Engineers, SEH. This is a normal part of the testing process.

The smoke is safe, non-toxic, and non-staining. It helps identify locations where rainwater or groundwater may be entering the sanitary sewer system, allowing the City to make improvements that help reduce costs, protect infrastructure, and reduce the risk of sewer issues.

If your neighborhood is included in the testing area, you will receive additional notice before testing begins!

10/21/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Everyone deserves to feel safe, and no one should have to face domestic violence alone.

Did you know the Sartell Public Safety Facility has a designated Safe Room available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Located just inside the front entrance, the Safe Room provides a secure space for individuals seeking safety or emergency assistance. The room features a secure locking system and a dedicated phone with a direct connection to Stearns County 911.

📍 Sartell Public Safety Facility
501 Pinecone Road South, Sartell

This October, we encourage our community to raise awareness, support survivors, and remember that help is always available.

10/13/2026

LAST WEEK WAS ONE TO REMEMBER!

Now that we've had a little time to reflect on the amazing week we had, we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU!

Last week was filled with community connections, education, excitement, and plenty of smiles as we celebrated Fire Prevention Week and hosted our first-ever Sartell Public Safety Open House!

Throughout Fire Prevention Week, we had the opportunity to welcome hundreds of students to our fire hall to learn about fire safety, meet our firefighters, explore the fire trucks, and experience firsthand what we do. A special thank you to our local school districts, teachers, and staff for taking the time to bring students to visit us and helping make fire prevention education such a memorable experience for our youngest community members!

Thursday's Public Safety Open House was another incredible highlight! For the first time, we brought together our Police, Fire, and Life Safety Divisions for one community-wide event. From the demonstrations and hands-on activities to the rubber duck races, helicopter, emergency vehicles, and everything in between, it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the evening together.

Events like these would not be possible without the generosity, dedication, and support of so many people. To our community partners, local businesses, participating agencies, volunteers, and Public Safety staff, THANK YOU! Whether you donated supplies, provided equipment, volunteered your time, helped with activities, or supported us behind the scenes, you played an important role in making this week a success.

And most importantly, thank you to our Sartell community! Seeing families come together, children interact with our first responders, and relationships grow is a reminder of why we do what we do.

We are incredibly fortunate to serve a community that continues to show such tremendous support for public safety.

10/12/2026

🌟 EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: OFFICER ADAM VANDE VREDE 🌟

After nearly 28 years of dedicated service, Sartell Police Officer Adam Vande Vrede, badge #7911, has officially completed his final shift with the Sartell Police Department!

Adam began his law enforcement career in June 1998 as a part-time officer with the Melrose Police Department before joining Sartell on February 10, 1999. Since then, he has dedicated his law enforcement career to serving and protecting the Sartell community.

Throughout his career, Adam has taken on numerous roles, including Patrol Officer, Forensic Interviewer, ALICE Instructor, PAL Coordinator, Restorative Justice Mediator, and DARE Instructor for more than 20 years. His dedication and service have earned him several honors, including a Special Commendation for Valor, multiple Lifesaving Awards, and a Stork Pin.

Perhaps one of Adam's greatest legacies is the 17 years he spent serving as a School Resource Officer. During that time, he became far more than a familiar face in the hallways. He was a mentor, a role model, a trusted friend, and someone students knew they could turn to.

Through thousands of interactions, countless conversations, moments of encouragement, and sometimes difficult lessons, Adam helped guide generations of young people. He built relationships that extended far beyond graduation, leaving a lasting impression on students who are now adults, many raising families of their own. His greatest impact cannot be measured by awards or accomplishments, but rather by the lives he touched, the trust he built, and the difference he made in the futures of so many young people.

Those who have had the privilege of working alongside Adam know him for his dedication, professionalism, patience, kindness, and willingness to help others. His commitment to his coworkers and community has left a lasting impression on everyone around him.

While we are sad to see Adam leave Sartell, we are excited for him as he begins his next chapter with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. His passion for public service isn't ending; it's simply taking him on a new adventure!

Your presence will be missed in our hallways, our schools, and our department, but the legacy you leave behind will continue for generations.

Congratulations on your retirement from the City of Sartell, Adam!

10/07/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!

The Sartell Public Safety Open House is happening TOMORROW, Thursday, October 8, from 4:00–7:00 PM!

We have a full evening planned, so check out the event schedule and make sure you don’t miss your favorites!

🕝 4:00 PM - Start Time
🐕 4:30 PM – K9 Demo
🚁 5:00 PM – Life Link III Helicopter Landing
🎟️ 5:30 PM – Relief Association Raffle
🦆 6:00 PM – Rubber Duck Races
🚁 6:30 PM – Helicopter Takeoff
🏁 7:00 PM – Event Ends

🌭 We’ll also be serving FREE hot dogs and chips while supplies last, plus there will be vendors with additional items available for purchase.

Bring the family, tour the Public Safety Facility, meet our Police and Fire personnel, check out the vehicles and equipment, and enjoy all the activities we have planned throughout the evening!

📍 Sartell Public Safety Facility
501 Pinecone Rd S
⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM

Helicopter arrival and departure are dependent on weather and emergency calls.

We can’t wait to see everyone TOMORROW!

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10/03/2026

Northbound lane is open! Please remember to use posted detours for southbound traffic. Even though you won’t see crews out working, it’s important to stay off of the southbound roadway to let the roadway curate 👷

Good news! The Pinecone Road project continues to move along on schedule. Even BETTER news, the Pinecone Road northbound lane is now completely open to traffic!

Southbound Pinecone Road between 2 ½ Street and the 2nd Street South roundabout, however, will remain CLOSED.

We want to give you a heads up, you may drive by over the next week and wonder, “Why is the road still closed? Nobody is even working!” There’s a very important reason: the new concrete needs time to cure and gain strength. Even though the concrete looks finished, driving on it too soon can damage the repairs and shorten the life of the work we just completed.

Please continue to use the posted detour when traveling southbound on Pinecone Road. Do not drive around barricades or onto the new concrete - even if there are no construction crews working.

A big THANK YOU to our contractor, Public Works, Public Safety, Engineering, nearby businesses, residents, and everyone else who has worked together to keep this project moving. The cooperation throughout this project has been fantastic, and we’re almost there!