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Police

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1. Abandoned Vehicles

Any vehicle left unattended for more than forty-eight hours on any public street or grounds, or on private property where parking is prohibited, limited or restricted, without the permission of the owner or lessee, is deemed abandoned and constitutes a public nuisance, and may be ticketed and towed, with the vehicle owner being responsible for all charges, including storage.

2. Alcoholic Beverages

AGE: You must be 21 years of age to purchase, consume or possess beer or liquor in the state of Wisconsin.

PARKS: Intoxicants are not allowed in any city playground, city swimming pool or city park, except in Carroll Park, Copeland Park, Myrick Park, Houska Park, Red Cloud Park, Grandad Bluff or Pettibone Park (excluding beach area). For parties of twenty-five persons or less, a permit is not required, but any bottled or canned beer is allowed. If you desire liquor or keg beer, you must reserve an enclosed shelter. For parties over twenty-five persons, a permit must be obtained from the City Park Department, third floor City Hall, Monday through Friday during normal business hours. All Parks close at 11:00 p.m.

3. Animals

Every person who owns, keeps, or harbors a dog or cat must have it immunized against rabies and obtain a license from the City Treasurer. No person or unit living together may keep more than four dogs or cats in total over the age of five months. Dogs or cats are not permitted to run at large. When walking your dog or cat, animal excreta discharge on public or private property must be immediately removed by the walker. Animals are not allowed in parks or on school property.

4. Auction

Surplus property and recovered, unclaimed bikes will be auctioned off twice a year. Auctions are held once in the fall and once in the spring. Please check back to this page for future auction dates or call (608)789-7245.

5. Bicycles

Bicycles are considered as vehicles and must obey most of the traffic laws. Bicycles operated in the City must be licensed, which can be done at the Police Department for a cost of $2.00. This license is good for as long as you own the bicycle.

6. Bike Barn

To request information on a recovered bike, please call the Property Clerk at (608)789-7245.

7. Complaints against department

Our Department prides itself in providing the highest quality professional law enforcement services to the citizens we serve. We hold ourselves accountable to each other and to the citizens we serve, who are the source of our authority. If you should have a concern with any aspect of service provided by the La Crosse Police Department and feel you wish to file a complaint please utilize any of the following procedures. Citizens wishing to send compliments about the department or officers can also utilize the same procedures.

Contact the non-emergency police number at 608-785-5962 and request to speak with the shift commander who will process your complaint.

Submit a letter of complaint directly to the Chief of Police:

Attn: Chief of Police
La Crosse Police Department
400 La Crosse Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

Complaints can also be filed directly with the City of La Crosse Police and Fire Commission.

Attn: Police & Fire Commission
Human Resources
400 La Crosse Street
La Crosse, WI 54601

Formal Complaint forms can be obtained in person at the La Crosse Police Department, 400 La Crosse St. La Crosse, WI or can be mailed at your request. It is not necessary in most cases to complete a formal complaint form to file a complaint. Complaints will be accepted in person, over the phone or in writing.

The Department is required by State Law to inform complainants that "whoever knowingly makes a false complaint regarding the conduct of a law enforcement officer is subject to a Class A forfeiture" Wisconsin State Statute 946.66(2).

8. Crime Prevention

Our Department offers a variety of programs and has many pamphlets on various topics - burglary, auto theft, Operation I.D., Neighborhood Watch, etc. Call the Community Services Bureau at 608-789-7240 if you have any questions in these areas.

9. Crime Stoppers

The La Crosse Area has a Crime Stoppers program. If you have information on any crime which has been committed or is about to be committed, you can call the Crime Stoppers Hotline (784-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-947-3577) and give the information and remain anonymous. If your tip results in an arrest, you are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. More...

10. Curfew

AGES 15, 16, & 17
SEPTEMBER 1 thru MAY 31
Sunday thru Thursday: 11:00p.m. -5:00a.m.
Friday and Saturday: 12:30a.m. - 5:00a.m.
JUNE 1 thru AUGUST 31
Sunday thru Saturday: 12:30a.m. - 5:00a.m.

AGES 12, 13 & 14
SEPTEMBER 1 thru MAY 31
Sunday thru Thursday: 10:00p.m. - 5:00a.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11:00p.m. - 5:00a.m.
JUNE 1 thru AUGUST 31
Sunday thru Saturday: 11:00p.m. - 5:00a.m.

AGE 12 and UNDER
ALL DAYS, ALL YEAR
10:00p.m. - 5:00a.m.

11. Daylight Savings Time

On Sunday Morning, October 28 at 2:00a.m., clocks are set back to 1:00a.m. in compliance with state statute 175.095.

Taverns holding a Class B license can stay open until 2:30a.m., essentially giving them one extra hour of business on that date.


REMINDER

First Sunday in April: advance one hour
Last Sunday in October: set back one hour

12. Fireworks

State Law and Municipal Ordinance make it illegal to sell, have possession of, or to discharge any type of fireworks.

13. Fingerprinting

The Community Services Bureau provides fingerprinting services to the general public by appointment only, two days per week (Mondays 1:00-3:00PM and Thursdays 9:00AM-12:00PM). The cost for fingerprinting is $20.00 per person. Please call Community Services at (608) 789-7240 to schedule your appointment. More...

14. Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is not allowed from the roadway. PROTECT YOURSELF - do not pick up hitchhikers.

15. Location

The La Crosse Police Department is located in City Hall at 400 La Crosse Street.

In an effort to meet increasing demands for service with decreasing resources, the La Crosse Police Department finds
it necessary to transition from having its Lobby or Front Desk open 24/7/365 to a practice of closing this area for select
times. The new hours for the Sixth Street entrance will have the front desk Closed
Monday through Friday 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
All Saturdays and Sundays
All Holidays
Or as necessary
There will be signs posted at the entrance of the police department displaying the hours of operation and what a
citizen needs to do if service is necessary

16. Parking

In many areas of the city there is limited parking which is enforced by the Police Department. Signs post the time zones, no-parking zones, handicapped parking, loading and tow-away zones. Please watch for them when parking your vehicle.

NIGHT PARKING / ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING

From November 1 to April 1, between 1:00a.m. and 6:00a.m., vehicles shall be parked only on even-numbered sides of the streets on those nights with an even calendar date, and on odd-numbered sides of the streets on those nights with an odd calendar date. Where parking is normally permitted only on one side of the street, vehicles may be parked on that permitted side every night.

17. Patch Requests

To receive a La Crosse Police Department Patch, please follow the rules below:

Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope (size 4.5" x 6") and $3.00 to the address below. (First class postage required -- $0.37)

Make Check or Money Order Payable to: L.P.P.N.S.A.

Mail to:

La Crosse Police Department

Attn: Community Services Bureau
400 La Crosse Street
La Crosse, WI 54603

18. Security Survey

This is a free service from our department to assist you in looking at the vulnerable areas of your home or apartment. We offer many cost-free suggestions on the security of your home.

19. Student Safety Line

The La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers and the La Crosse Public School System offer the "Student Safety Line" to students attending middle or high school. The "Student Safety Line" is a proactive program that offers a $50.00 cash reward to anyone who provides information that results in recovery of Alcohol, Drugs, or weapons on school property. Callers can remain anonymous by calling 784-8477 or 1-800-947-3577.

20. Traffic

We will do our utmost to keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible, but your assistance is needed. Traffic regulations are strictly enforced to keep our streets safe for everyone. The speed limit is 25 MPH unless otherwise posted. Make sure to adjust your speed in bad weather conditions.