My wife and I walked through the Downtown Eastside, where she spent years working at the welfare office helping people. She said, “It’s gotten so much worse. Garbage everywhere, people sleeping on the streets, and drug use on every block.” I couldn't disagree. The drugs are worse, homelessness is worse, and people have fewer places to go. Then she asked, “What the hell did ABC do to help people down here?” I responded, “They added more police.” However we all know you can't police your way out of poverty, homelessness, and addiction. You have to actually address the conditions causing them. I'm hopeful that this next mayor and council will make a real difference. At least, I want to be hopeful. Because the people living in the Downtown Eastside deserve more than promises, policing, and political talking points. They deserve real solutions, real investment, and a city that hasn't given up on them!