Apr 02 2009
Snow Birds
Camping in the Walmart parking lot is an alternative for many individuals. There is no charge and many are open 24 hours a day. The parking lot also has security cameras that can make some dry campers feeling safe. The security cameras nor the safety factor were any help to a Michigan man who spent the cold winter months living at the Walmart parking lot in Port Richey, Florida.
Robert Michael Dyer, 52 a Michigan resident died in his camper in the Walmart parking lot his temporary home for the winter. His friends say this is the man they lived near and helped but authorities have not officially released his name. A fire destroyed most of the camper taking the life of Mr. Dyer and his six cats.Mr. Dyer lived off of his social security checks and dined at the Salvation Army. He came to Florida to have some relief from the northern winters. What is left in the Walmart parking lot is a blackened pavement where Mr. Dyer spent his winter days.
With more and more people suffering from the crunch of the bad economy will the Walmart parking lot become a homeless camp? Will people live in a vehicle that is unsafe and face certain death?
