Jacksonville artist Darryl Green is confronting devastating losses after burglars broke into his bus home, taking cameras, computers and other belongings essential to his creative work.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Darryl Green is trying to rebuild after thieves allegedly broke into his home and stole or damaged most of what he owned.
A Jacksonville native, Green has spent the last six years converting a school bus into both a home and a creative studio.
“It’s been seen around town quite often,” Green said.
The bus serves as far more than a place to sleep. It is where Green makes art and music while working as a photographer and artist.
Green said someone broke into the bus in Riverside while he was out of town, taking nearly everything of value they could carry away.
“They pretty much stole everything that they could get out,” Green said. “They stole unfortunately all my clothes, all my shoes. My sentimental jewelry.”
Green discovered the burglary Sept. 8 after the cameras he used to monitor the bus stopped working. He believes the break-in occurred over Labor Day weekend.
“I would say 85 to 90% of my belongings are either stolen or broken,” Green said.
The stolen and damaged property included professional cameras and computers that Green depends on for his artistic work.
“Cameras that are broken, that’s $32,000 I won’t get back,” Green said. “You know, some of those cameras are from the ’70s and ’60s.”
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For Green, the damage cannot be measured by price alone. The cameras and computers were the tools he used to create his work and earn a living.
The bus also carries the value of years of labor. Green built it with assistance from relatives and friends.
“I built that bus with my bare hands,” Green said. “I had family and friends help me as well. And my goal is to rebuild.”
Green described the loss as devastating. As he considers what to do next, he is temporarily living out of a suitcase.
Even so, Green said he does not want resentment to shape his response to the burglary.
He said he hopes whoever is responsible can eventually find stability.
“I just pray that they get some type of stability and I know that karma will do what karma does,” Green said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it is investigating the incident.
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
For more information on how to help Green, you can click here.
