La Crosse Police Officially Waterborne This Weekend

La Crosse police haven’t wanted to say a lot about their new boat so far.   But the new patrol boat will make plenty of noise on its own when it hits the water officially for the first time this weekend.  It will be the first time in about 30 years city police have had a patrol off the La Crosse shoreline.  Nearly two dozen officers have had specialized training in operating the boat and two officers will be aboard the boat at all times.  The city collected an $80 thousand grant from FEMA to buy the boat, a lift and some cameras in Riverside Park as well.  The department also funnelled 20 thousand from its regular budget to help fund the boat operation.  Police patrols on the river at La Crosse had been conducted by the sheriff’s department.