Lee County introduces new EMA director; sheriff reports burglary solved, vehicle-theft spike and fatality in Amboy

The sheriff introduced Seth Jansen as Lee County’s new Emergency Management Agency director at the public safety meeting called to order at approximately 10:29 a.m. "I'll introduce our new uh EMA director for Lee County, Seth Jansen," the sheriff said, and welcomed him aboard.

Seth Jansen, the new EMA director, retired in December from the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office and — according to the sheriff — has roughly 13 years of emergency-management experience, including time as Whiteside County EMA director and a period serving as CGH's emergency manager. Deputies Kyle Kellen and other staff were identified as supporting the transition.

The sheriff also gave several operational updates. He said deputies solved a substantial burglary within two days and recovered a large amount of property. He reported "a little spike in vehicles getting stolen over on the east side of the county and abandoned in nearly the same place," and said the department is working through that trend. He described a recent tragic incident in Amboy: "an individual was smoking. Um alcohol was a factor and apparently fell asleep and caught on fire and tragically lost their life," the sheriff said.

On staffing, the sheriff said the office will be losing a correctional deputy who accepted a patrol position with the Dixon Police Department and that the county will recruit to fill that vacancy.

No formal votes or policy decisions were taken on these items during the meeting; the remarks were presented as informational updates.

The meeting proceeded to other items and was later adjourned.