La Crosse PD raises almost $2,000 with Food for Fines program

La Crosse police actually teamed up with lawbreakers in December to help the community as a whole.

Instead of parking violators paying money for their tickets, they had a chance to buy food or clothing to help those less fortunate in the community.

Parking offenders paid off 46 tickets with $1,130 worth of food and $640 in clothing.

“The majority of it was canned goods, lots of cereal,” La Crosse officer Dustin Darling said. “As far as clothing, it was mittens, sweatshirts, but we did get a couple of new winter jackets.”

The Northside Community Pantry, Catholic Charities and Salvation Army all received donations during the December donation period.

The program’s success means a repeat could be coming.

“They’re definitely looking into it,” Darling said. “The end of 2020 is coming and we’ll have to see where the budgets are at. Hopefully we can continue on with this program.”