On the evening of November 17, 2024, officers from the La Crosse Police Department responded to reports of a disturbance outside a local apartment complex. Witnesses described a 55-year-old woman yelling and making threats toward bystanders, with the situation escalating into alleged racist remarks directed at an individual. Upon arrival, officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the woman remained uncooperative, leading to her arrest.
Police were called after a man reported an altercation involving a woman who had approached him, made unsolicited comments, and allegedly directed racist remarks his way. When officers arrived, the woman engaged in a heated exchange, refusing to provide identification and repeatedly dismissing their inquiries. The situation quickly turned confrontational, with the woman challenging officers and eventually demanding a lawyer before any charges were even discussed.
Despite several attempts by officers to reason with her, the woman’s behavior became increasingly erratic. She resisted providing her name, accused officers of bias, and insisted she was being unfairly targeted. Her speech was slurred at times, and officers noted the strong presence of alcohol on her breath. As tensions rose, she began making accusations against the officers, calling them “ignorant” and “stupid,” while also making inflammatory remarks about politics and race.
After continued refusal to cooperate, officers placed her under arrest for obstructing and disorderly conduct. Once inside the squad car, the woman continued her outburst, barking aggressively at the department’s K9 unit and even resorting to banging her head against the interior of the vehicle. Due to her erratic behavior, law enforcement took extra precautions during processing. She was ultimately charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and released two days later on an $11,000 signature bond.
Legal Note:
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details in this report are based on police statements and witness accounts at the time of the incident.
