The Mayor says that negative behavior will not be tolerated

Published on May 22, 2026

Watch the Mayor's Message

La Crosse, WI — Standing in Burns Park yesterday, May 21, Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey addressed increasing concerns around public safety in the city’s parks and downtown area. 

“I hear your concerns; I hear the concerns of our business owners; I hear the concerns of our constituents across the city, and these concerns are not going unaddressed,” Mayor Washington-Spivey said.

Mayor Washington-Spivey emphasized that the City of La Crosse and City Council are taking community feedback seriously, and that City staff are meeting regularly and working tirelessly to keep La Crosse residents safe. “Public spaces are for everybody. They should be safe; they should be welcoming; they should be inclusive.”

The Mayor candidly stated that he did not have overnight solutions for problems that did not occur overnight. He warned residents that negative behavior would not be tolerated and encouraged positive use of public spaces.

In a collaborative effort between the La Crosse Police and Parks and Recreation departments, there will be an increased presence of Neighborhood Resource Officers in and around the parks. “Over the past several weeks, our department has responded to several calls,” Police Chief Shawn Kudron said. “The safety and security of our parks and surrounding areas remain of utmost importance. We are committed to continuing to work with the Parks department to address these concerns.”

Parks and Recreation Director Jay Odegaard added that he understands the issues facing the City’s public spaces, including park property. “I’m in meetings; I’m in the parks; I’m all around the city. I am fully aware of the problems and working extremely hard to maintain clean and safe spaces,” he remarked. “But I also know that there are still so many great things happening. With warm weather approaching, there will be a plethora of programs and opportunities for us to reconnect as a community.”

In the upcoming months, the Mayor will co-host forums in each district alongside council members. Please visit http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/stayconnected to sign up for alerts and news about the district forums.