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La Crosse Considers Public Intoxication Ordinance
Two intoxicated individuals got themselves dangerously close to the La Crosse River.
Plus, police also discovered a 3rd man intoxicated and sleeping in the wrong house.
Police say all 3 individuals registered a .20 or higher after breath tests.
In light of this weekends irresponsibility, News 19's Joshua Stevens tells us about a new ordinance the mayor would like to consider.
Police Chief Ed Kondracki said, "Every one of these incidents, except for the grace of god, could have been our next river drowning victim. Each case is an example of severe binge drinking and an intentional effort to become extremely intoxicated; if not incapacitated by alcohol."
Unfortunately, these incidents are not and will not be isolated to this weekend.
Over the past year, many of the individuals the La Crosse Police Department picked up have had blood alcohol levels ranging from .20 to .47.
Mayor Mark Johnsrud would like to have a more significant impact on the culture of binge drinking.
La Crosse Mayor Mark Johnsrud said, "I think that having a public intoxication ordinance with in the city of La Crosse is going to send a clear message to those individuals engaged in this type of activity."
"You use this as a deterrent... Right not I’m afraid we have an environment where people think it’s cute to go downtown. It’s cute to get drunk," said Kondracki.
Currently, there is no fine or citation for being publicly intoxicated, but both the Mayor and Chief, hope this can help a growing issue.
Kondracki said, "Clearly enforcement alone is not the answer. It all boils down to personal responsibility. We simply can not build a playpen where we can guarantee the safety of individuals who choose to become intoxicated in our community.”
If people don't want to take responsibility for their own health and safety, maybe the threat of a big fine will help deliver the message.
This citation could have a fine ranging from $200 to $500 dollars.
Right now, the La Crosse legal department is researching and putting together this public intoxication ordinance.
It’s being modeled after similar ordinances in the state of Wisconsin.
The Mayor expects it to be introduced to the city council before the end of the month
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Over the past 9 years there have been 8 drowning deaths in LaCrosse due to drunken college age young men falling in the Mississippi or LaCrosse river. It's a real hot topic in this area and something desperately needs to change, hopefully this will be step in the right direction.
