News from
Congressman Ron Kind
REPRESENTING WISCONSIN’S THIRD
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
1406 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, D.C. 20515 • (202) 225-5506
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Leah Hunter
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Phone: 202‐225‐5506
Kind Requests La Crosse FBI Office Stay Open
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Ron Kind (D‐WI) today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General
Eric Holder and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller expressing concern over the plans to close the
Federal Bureau of Investigation’s La Crosse Resident Agency. Kind joins Senator Kohl in
advocating that the local FBI continue its current level of support, maintaining an office in La
Crosse.
“A decreased FBI presence in our area makes it that much harder for local police and
prosecutors to best do their jobs and protect the people of western Wisconsin,” said Rep.
Kind. “Less support from the FBI signals to our communities that rural citizens and victims
are a lower priority, which is certainly not the case and which will hamper the ability of the
bureau to effectively prevent crime in our region.”
Kind writes, “Domestic and international terrorism threats must remain a top priority for the
FBI. However, I am disappointed that the FBI intends to reorient itself away from assisting local
law enforcement in rural areas, particularly in regards to multi‐county and multi‐state crimes,
such as fraud. As you know, the nature of these cases often poses significant challenges for state
prosecutors, and local law enforcement has found the FBI’s expertise in these cases to be
invaluable. If the FBI significantly steps back from its current level of support, this could result
in even greater strains on our local law enforcement and limit the FBI’s ability to ensure the
safety and security of citizens in western Wisconsin.”
The FBI has announced plans to close the La Crosse, Kenosha, and Wausau offices, possibly
moving agents to positions in Eau Claire, Milwaukee and other parts of the state. That would
leave the Eau Claire office the only office in the Third Congressional District.