Editing South Beloit, Illinois (section)

===Police and fire departments===
The police department was established as one of the first departments by ordinance No.13, October 1917. It started off as a one-man, part-time enforcement. The first squad car was purchased from Saris Auto Company in 1923 for $431.71. In October 1928, the department bought a motorcycle from the Beloit Police for $100. In April 1957, the department became radio operated by the purchase of a [[Motorola]] Police Base Station for $587 and the hiring of Richard Miller as the first radio operator for $316 a month.

In February 1927, there was a bond issue to remodel City Hall, which included the establishment of a fire department and purchase of fire equipment. The first group of volunteers met in fall, 1927 and, with the help of Beloit firemen, learned how to use the equipment and effectively fight fires. The fire truck, a W.S. Knott, was manufactured in Minneapolis and delivered in February 1928 by Clare Hillman, who was familiar with its operation and became the first fire chief. The first uniformed department was made up of twelve members, plus Chief Hillman. These early volunteers were Edward Brady, George Graves, George Holtz, Arthur Schultz, David Bliss, James Howard, John Jensen, Thomas Flanigan, Robert Smith, Everett Clussman, Erwin Earl, and Fay Hanson.