La Crosse Police revamping bike patrol
LA CROSSE, Wis. — The La Crosse Police Department is stepping up patrols on two wheels.
The department is revamping its bike patrol. They have four new bikes and they are retraining officers.
They say the bikes are useful in crowded situations like festivals. Being on a bike also allows officers to see, smell, and hear more of what’s going on around them. And they are able to roll up to a call quieter and make less of a scene.
Another benefit of being on a bike is it puts them in closer contact with residents. “They’re obviously a lot more approachable on a bicycle, the public is generally more comfortable approaching the police officer to tell him what’s going on in the neighborhoods and stuff like that so we’re trying to get out into the neighborhoods,” said Lt. Patrick Hogan.
12 officers have been certified to be on bike patrol.
