Street Angels homeless outreach bus destroyed in fire
Heavy losses in blaze; police suspect arson
“With all the good we’re doing in the community, we have no clue of anyone who would do something like this. We’re just trying to do what we can for the community.”
A homeless outreach organization in Milwaukee is reeling after one of its two buses used to distribute resources was destroyed in an arson Thursday.
Vicky Cordani, vice president of the Street Angels board of directors, said Friday the bus was stocked with a range of critical items the organization hands out to the homeless population throughout Milwaukee County.
It included food, coats, socks, hand warmers, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene products, bus passes and various gift cards.
“We lost everything,” she said. Street Angels uses two buses to distribute the resources throughout the county three days a week. After finishing up another round of outreach around 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Cordani said the bus was set aflame sometime around 10 p.m. outside its offices at 1236 S. Layton Blvd. in the Clarke Square neighborhood on Milwaukee’s south side.
“Who would do this?” Cordani asked. “With all the good we’re doing in the community, we have no clue of anyone who would do something like this. We’re just trying to do what we can for the community.”
Milwaukee police confirmed the fire was being investigated as an arson and is seeking unknown suspects. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at 414-935-7360, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or use the P3 Tips app.
Cordani and Shelly Sarasin, cofounder and co-director of Street Angels, said the loss of the bus is especially devastating since it was paid for by the community after raising funds for several years. The bus was valued at $50,000.
“To see it gone, it’s heartbreaking,” Sarasin said.
The group’s second bus was not set on fire, but it’s unclear what damage it may have sustained from the nearby fire. Cordani said the organization has not been able to access it because it’s coated with a thick layer of ice from fire hoses. In the winter months, Street Angels typically encounters 40 to 50 people a night during outreach efforts, but as many as 200 a night in the summer months.
The group plans to continue its outreach efforts uninterrupted, even if workers have to use personal vehicles.
“We’re not going to stop,” Sarasin said. “We’ve made a commitment to our homeless community that we show up regardless.”
Just hours after the fire, Cordani said the organization is already struggling to keep up with the outpouring of support from the community. She said there are already plans to replace the bus with a new one. She said anyone who wishes to support Street Angels can make a donation on its website, StreetAngelsMKE.NetworkForGood .com.
Vicky Cordani, vice president of the Street Angels board of directors