I had thought all new policy hinged on thuggery and intimidation. The percentage I have personally experienced is now only about 99 percent. Those who have hung in with Asheville throughout the years have seen a lot of money made at the expense of our community. Even so, there are still some good hearts diligently trying to do it right, here and now, in our hometown. Society's stepchildren and disenfranchised, disillusioned victims have need of a roof over their head as much as anyone else.
Healing takes time.
I had occasion to witness police intervention in a dangerous and escalating situation involving a person in that house who is afflicted by not only mental illness, but alcoholism. One very young officer, Tony Johnson, was first on the scene and handled it with a wisdom and a maturity I have had no experience with previously and thus had no reason to expect. Other officers, led by Elizabeth Budd, also exercised proper discretion and the safety of the tenants and transitioning property was preserved. I am not turning into a cop lover. We have another Critical Mass, or not, coming up.