La Crescent Police Department

10/13/2026

Chief Ahlschlager swore in Officer April Stone at the recent City Council meeting.
Officer Stone, badge 304, is joining LCPD after graduating from Rochester Community and Technical College.
She was previously an officer in North Dakota.

304 shares that she was drawn back to the area to be near family and the outdoor activities Minnesota has to offer.

Pictured left to right:
Officer Josh DeBoer, Corporal Roth Clark, Sergeant Michael Ernster, Officer April Stone, Chief Luke Ahlschlager.

10/09/2026

Please Share: be aware!
(More Scam Prevention Tips are posted in the comments.)

✉️ Leaving outgoing mail in an unsecured residential or curbside mailbox exposes you to mail theft, check washing, and identity fraud.

If your family, neighbors, or friends aren’t on Facebook, please help keep them safer by sharing this information.

⭐️ Protect Yourself from Check Washing:

Deposit your outgoing mail in blue collection boxes before the last pickup or at your local Post Office.

Never leave your mail in your mailbox overnight.

If you’re going on vacation, have your mail held at the Post Office or have it picked up by a friend or neighbor daily.

Another tip is to write checks with a gel pen, which is said to have characteristics which are more difficult to be taken off the paper.

⭐️ This article shares examples of what can happen:

https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/check-washing

Secure the mail. Deliver justice. Protect us all. For 250 years, we have protected the U.S. Mail and everyone who uses it.

10/07/2026

☕️ National Coffee with a Cop Day.

Thank you for hosting: Groovy Grounds Bistro + Coffee and La Crescent Public Library! 📚

⭐️ LCPD Chief Ahlschlager and Sergeant Ernster, along with our newest officer, April Stone.

09/23/2026

🚨 COMMUNITY AWARENESS: RESIDENTIAL DISTURBANCES
The La Crescent Police Department is sharing information with the community about an increase in incidents sometimes referred to as “ding-dong ditching.”
So far in 2026, the department has responded to or received reports of 14 incidents involving individuals intentionally ringing doorbells, knocking or pounding on doors or windows, or engaging in similar conduct for the purpose of disturbing residents before leaving.
For comparison, there were 7 similar incidents during all of 2025. This represents a 100% increase, with more than three months remaining in 2026.
On September 19, five juveniles (ages 15-16) were investigated in connection with this type of activity. Citations were issued, and the case was forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office for further review and consideration.
Depending on the circumstances, individuals involved may be subject to enforcement under Minnesota law, including criminal charges related to DISORDERLY CONDUCT, TRESPASSING, HARASSMENT, or other applicable offenses.
While this behavior may sound like a harmless prank, it can have unexpected consequences for both residents and those involved. An unexpected knock, pounding on a window, or ringing doorbell, particularly during evening or nighttime hours, may cause a resident to believe that someone needs assistance, an emergency is occurring, or suspicious activity is taking place outside their home.
A few minutes of excitement or laughter may not be worth the potential consequences.
We encourage parents to have this conversation now and remind their teens to respect other people's homes, property, and personal safety.
If You See This Activity
Residents are encouraged not to confront individuals themselves. Instead, contact law enforcement and provide as much information as possible, including the location, time, descriptions of the individuals, and any vehicle information.
Thank you for helping us address this issue and for working with us to keep La Crescent a safe and respectful community.

09/22/2026

Check out the line up….. of found bicycles. 😎
Reach out if you can claim a found bike.
These were ‘two-tired’ to get home on their own.

La Crescent Police 507-895-4414
Open around the clock, every single day.

09/21/2026

To help increase public awareness in our community, we are sharing Train Week reminders, and a local study for your participation:

https://lacrescentrailstudy.com/

There are more than 4,000 public rail grade crossings in Minnesota.
Please review the ways to help Minnesota increase safety where rails cross roads, sidewalks, and trails.

Right-of-Way:
Yield the right-of-way to trains; it is illegal and extremely dangerous to drive, ride, or walk around lowered gates or race a train.

Trespassing:
Railroad tracks and the land immediately surrounding them (the right-of-way) are private property owned by the railroad.
:: Walking or being on the tracks without permission is illegal trespassing, even if there are no explicit "No Trespassing" signs.

Designated Crossings:
Pedestrians and cyclists must only cross tracks at officially marked pedestrian or highway-rail crossings and must obey all warning signals and gates.

Stopping Distance:
Stop at least 15 feet (and no more than 50 feet) from the nearest rail. For general crossings with active signals, you must stop at least 10 feet away and remain stopped until the rear of your vehicle is at least 10 feet past the farthest track.

Mandatory Stops:
Certain vehicles—like school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous materials—must always stop at designated railroad grade crossings unless marked "exempt".

No Shifting:
Drivers of commercial or required-stop vehicles must not shift gears while crossing the tracks.
Stay alert: trains are faster and quieter than you may realize. No photo is worth the risk.

Recreation and rails don’t mix.

Cross legally and safely. “When you see tracks – thing “train!”.

09/17/2026

From the National Weather Service of La Crosse:
There is heavy rain potential for Friday into Saturday. LCPD is sharing this information for your planning and coordination.

NWS states: The area of highest concern for heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding has become more confined as confidence in the location slowly increases.

A few rounds of showers and storms are increasingly likely from Friday morning through Saturday.
Heavy rain may lead to flash flooding, mudslides, and river flooding.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding may occur during Friday night, increasing the danger for motorists.

Period of the Heaviest Rain Threat:
Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Heavy Rain: Low to Medium (25-40%)
Location of Highest Rainfall Amounts:
Low (20-30%)
Timing: Medium (45-60%)

Unless there are significant forecast updates, the next update will be Friday morning.

Please contact US National Weather Service La Crosse Wisconsin if you have any questions - [email protected]

National Weather Service - La Crosse, WI
Web: weather.gov/lacrosse

U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)

09/14/2026

As we welcome Apple Fest weekend, please note the boulevard policy in La Crescent.

Prior to Friday, September 18th, at 5:00 pm, there are restrictions in preparation for watching the King Apple Parade on Sunday, September 20th:

-No person shall place any items marking a specific area on the public right of way or any city boulevard.
-Items not allowed include: portable shelters, tarps, couches, chairs, awnings, tents, blankets, tarps and/or building materials such as rocks, bricks marking stakes, ribbon, tape or rope. (or similar items in which to reserve a spot on city property).
-Public sidewalks, where applicable, shall remain open and walkable to the public at all times – including during the parade.

➡️ ITEMS MARKING OR INDICATING RESERVATION OF AN AREA ON THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY (IN VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE POLICY) WILL BE REMOVED AND DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE TO EXISTING PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND ORDINANCES.

Thank you for your part in keeping La Crescent safe and clear of clutter as we prepare to celebrate our city this weekend!
La Crescent Applefest

🍎 Have a safe and memorable 78th Apple Fest celebration!

09/12/2026

When the USA Cycling Gravel National Championship rolls into town,LCPD doesn’t mess around. 🚲👮‍♂️
Ofc. Helke keeping the peace… one pedal assist at a time. 🇺🇸🚴‍♂️