The frozen body of a homeless man was found in a downtown area used car lot--just a day after local clergy warned that homeless people are at risk of dying in Kenosha this winter because of a lack of adequate shelter.
The body of Darryl Peddicord, 49, was found lying on the pavement in a used car lot off of 60th St. Thursday evening, Nov. 16th, police said. A mechanic made the discovery after going to move some vehicles. It wasn't clear what Peddicord had been doing in the lot at the time of his death, but workers said homeless people had sought shelter in vehicles parked in the area in the past.
Although his cause of death has yet to be determined, pending a toxicology report, Peddicord reportedly suffered from medical problems, including alcoholism.
Peddicord was a frequent visitor during the cold weather months to the now-defunct First Step refuge center that was forced to close earlier this year because of complaints from neighbors. "It makes me sick to my stomach," said Tracy Krisor, founder and manager of the non-profit which offered shelter off of 63rd St. for the past 14 years. "My fear is who else are we going to lose in the cold," she said.
Peddicord was one of several homeless people who were profiled by the Kenosha News on the shelter's last day earlier this year.
Krisor said Peddicord had his ups and downs but was a "sweet gentleman and very kind-hearted."
Ever since First Step closed, CUSH--Congregations United to Serve Humanity--has been trying to convince local elected officials to get behind the creation of a First Step replacement, saying the brand-new Shalom Center, while a huge asset to the community, is not set up to serve the hard-to-deal-with homeless population---those that may be suffering from alcoholism or mental illness
CUSH members held a rally to draw attention to their cause the Wednesday before Darryl died. The Rev. Justin Lowe said flat out that he was afraid that homeless people--especially those with medical conditions--were going to die without shelter.
The Rev. Susan Patterson-Sumwalt--a CUSH spokesperson-- said Tuesday night that Peddicord's death was sad and tragic. "We really hope his life isn't in vain but it causes some urgency in that we need some emergency shelter for those who are homeless," she said.
The group is continuing to meet with local officials to press their case.
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