A specialized unit, the Community Resource Unit, was involved in over 1,500 calls involving consumers in crisis in 2025.


LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) — A specialized unit, the Community Resource Unit, was involved in over 1,500 calls involving consumers in crisis in 2025.

Five years ago, the La Crosse Police Department teamed up with the county to establish the Community Resource Unit, giving those faced with a mental health crisis the resources they need. Teams made up of co-responders and crisis workers assess the situation for safety and create a space that helps an individual calm down.

“People need to make the decision themselves to deescalate. And we as police need to give them as good of an environment as possible to help make that happen,” said Joel Miller, community resource officer with the La Crosse Police Department.

Once the situation has been defused, the crisis worker and co-responder can determine the best course of action for the individual. Ryan Slosser with the La Crosse County Crisis Unit said they assess for dangers and try to connect with what is ultimately going to be the best outcome as far as mental health services provided, whether that is an involuntary hospitalization, a voluntary hospitalization, safety planning or connecting with follow-up resources after the incident is deescalated.

If an individual is hospitalized, the Community Resource Unit calls in Investigator Dominick Jacobs, who works with the person to create a safety plan and connect them with resources to help them thrive in the community. Jacobs said they want to have open communication because it’s not about telling people what they need.

“It’s us learning about them, what they could receive that’s best going to support them so that that individual can thrive and the community can ultimately be safer,” Jacobs said.

The goal is making sure an individual is no longer a danger to themselves or others. Jacobs said they want to give people every resource they need at the gates, but resources are always limited, so the ultimate goal is to get that person self-sufficient.

Even after an individual completes the program, the connections continue. Jacobs said he’ll be driving and see somebody he assisted three or four years ago, and they’ll remember him and have a conversation, and he can see that they’re doing so much better.

“That means a lot to me,” Jacobs said.

So far this year, the Community Resource Unit has responded to a little under 1,000 calls.

If a person is having a mental health crisis, you can call the La Crosse County Mobile Crisis Line at 608-784-HELP.

Have a story idea? Let us know here

Watch more on WXOW wherever you are 

There are plenty of ways to get the latest content from WXOW. You can find us on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms so you can watch us anytime! Enjoy livestreaming newscasts or replays of our latest news along with some of our signature content such as the Jefferson Awards plus the latest weather and local sports. 

Find WXOW on Roku here or by searching for WXOW in the Roku Channel Store.

Find WXOW for Fire TV here or searching for WXOW in the Amazon App Store. 

Add the WXOW app for Apple TV through the Apple App Store. 

Use this link to find out more about all the WXOW apps available.