It’s hard to believe that I can take this picture as the family living behind the business tells me there’s no help; no plan; no one to turn to. I’d expect to be photographing this scene alongside a story showcasing how problems are being solved, yet sadly this is not the reality.

Stories like this one are the reason that investigative journalists must work to protect the public interest, carefully documenting the many small cumulative parts of erosion in our democracy in the hope that this exposure will cultivate an assurance of fearless accountability.