Oct 8 2014 As police, and protesters clash in what seems more like riots, than protest’s it’s hard to determine who will have a final say when it comes to Missouri’s civil fate. I was welcomed to St Louis by the Cardinals stadium, the majestic bridges and sky scrapers aligned to create a vivd skyline. I was driving into the Hazlewood area, not too far Ferguson where it’s been making news in regards to racial tension and fear of police after the fatal police shooting of Mike Brown.
As the day progressed, and I entered the Ferguson city limits I noticed this is an area with heavy traffic, and lots of people walking to and from work and school. I could also see this was a low-income area as well as one striving to bring in local revenue from near-by areas by opening new shops and business’s. While I was speaking to locals in the area that where affected by the riots many citizens had fallen under one of four opinions.
1.They fear clashes with police, and other residents will get worse
2. They believe things will pass, and they have nothing to worry about
3. They don’t care, and feel as it is none of their business what happens
4. They were too afraid to give an answer.
Ferguson is a very residential and friendly to it’s citizens never did I have someone start trouble. In the streets people were laughing and enjoying themselves, listening to loud music. Ferguson Police did have a heavy presence. Constant patrols with not too much police and citizen interaction and no effort to reach out to the community. I met with some Ferguson PD and they did not wish to disclose any information or give any opinions on the current events at the time. They directed me to their office or to call the city. Our interaction was professional. This could be because I am a journalist, or because a good number of the officers legitimately don’t wish for any interactions to escalate. I also spoke with protesters and activist’s, they did mention how the police brutality, and abuse of power can worsen the interactions between police and citizens and can give police an excuse to use military weapons, and vehicles against its citizens. Citizens of Ferguson are asking people to register to vote, and get involved in community change. Protester’s are asking for people not to make it a “black” vs “white” scenario, but rather the “state” vs us. My time in Ferguson was short however I believe the police, the people, and the local government want to de-escalate the situation, improve relations between police, and the population. With the upcoming decision to charge, or once again overlook police murder, and abuse of power relating to Officer Darren Wilson; only time will tell.
A community remember Mike Brown. Not just another teenager killed by police.
A community remembers Mike Brown. Not just another teenager killed by police.
