MILWAUKEE — On Monday, June 10, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s deputies assisted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) in starting to remove “abandoned” vehicles from park and ride lots. 

What You Need To Know

  • On Monday, June 10, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s deputies assisted the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) in starting to remove “abandoned” vehicles from park and ride lots

  • Those staying in the park and rides were given notice last month that they would have to leave the lots. The WisDOT confirmed a deadline of May 16 to vacate

  • While the deadline still stood, WisDOT had not enforced it in order to give people time to find permanent housing

  • The Milwaukee County Housing Division has been on site to help those affected find temporary and/or permanent housing. Some have declined to go to shelters. County leaders confirmed they’ve already helped 55 people 

Many of the vehicles belong to people who’ve been living out of their cars.

Those staying in the park and rides were given notice last month that they would have to leave the lots. The WisDOT confirmed a deadline of May 16 to vacate. While the deadline still stood, WisDOT had not enforced it in order to give people time to find permanent housing.

The Milwaukee County Housing Division has been on site to help those affected find temporary and/or permanent housing. Some have declined to go to shelters. County leaders confirmed they’ve already helped 55 people from the park and ride lots find shelter.

Marco Lopez said he and his family were evicted from their apartment weeks ago. He’s been staying at the Holt Avenue Park and Ride with his wife, 6-year-old son, and 4-year-old daughter, who is autistic.

He said their car is broken down in the lot and he’s worried authorities will tow their vehicle, which has been serving as their place to sleep.

“Where are we going to go?” asked Lopez. “We have nowhere to go. I mean, we are trying our best. I’m disappointed a little bit because there should be more for people who are struggling but trying, you know? I do feel like it’s kind of a failed system.”

Adrian Lemke, 18, has been living out of his car at the College Avenue Park and Ride for a few months. 

“I moved here from California and I’m looking for a place to stay, and I have no money,” said Lemke. “Two of my windows are broken out of my car from people doing stuff and breaking into my car. I’ve had thousands of dollars stolen from my car, honestly.”

He said he’s trying to find work and a way to fix his car before it gets towed.

“It would be unreasonable for them to come take my vehicle when I have no place to stay,” said Lemke. “That would be like me just walking around the streets, and I don’t think they want their name behind like, ‘Oh we’re kicking people out of their car,’ This is my only option.”

County workers and nonprofit organizations that work to reach people who are unhoused have been visiting the park and ride lots frequently to try and get more people the help they need.

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