Milwaukee, WI

On Monday a man was found dead in his car in Waukesha. Police suspect that he may have been there since Friday, when he was evicted from his apartment.

Patrick L. Greinke, 60, had been evicted from his apartment on the 400 block of N. Washington Ave. and although the cause of death has not been determined, exposure to the harsh elements this weekend seems a likely culprit.

Although homeless shelters were filled this weekend due to the weather, tragedies like this one do not need to happen. While the Salvation Army had no room over the weekend, there are other shelters which can take in the overflow, including the Hebron House which typically only shelters families and women. The Hebron House says it will accommodate men who are turned away from the Salvation Army shelter due to bed availability. Although the Salvation Army and many other shelters have been at capacity all winter this year, the shelters in Milwaukee work together in finding a shelter for those in need. In the event that all of the shelters are filled, hotel vouchers are available to ensure that no one needs to endure exposure to the elements.

Should you see someone sleeping in a car or out in the elements, call a shelter or the police immediately. A car will not provide sufficient shelter from the extreme temperatures that we have experienced this winter. The harsh weather is nothing to trifle with, and there’s no reason that anyone should have to try to endure the elements.

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Think warm thoughts.