How do you solve a problem like Ferguson, MO?

The Governor of Missouri, Jay Nixon, has activated the National Guard.

From Newsweek

The governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of the anticipated grand jury decision surrounding Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson and the potential protests the verdict may bring to that city and others.

Citing what he called the “possibility of expanded unrest” ahead of the impending verdict, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said in a declaration on Monday that the St. Louis County Police Department and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will operate as a Unified Command “to protect civil rights and ensure public safety in the City of Ferguson and the St. Louis region”.

A grand jury is expected to announce any day if they will charge Wilson with the August killing of Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager.

“In the days immediately following Michael Brown’s death, peaceful protests were marred by senseless acts of violence and destruction,” Gov. Nixon said last week. “That ugliness was not representative of Missouri, and it cannot be repeated.”

In addition to declaring a state of emergency, Nixon has also apparently issued an executive order which in turn has activated the Missouri National Guard to assist local law enforcement.

This should be interesting to watch – will the people of Ferguson (and those visiting) respect the town and its people enough to NOT loot and agitate the situation?

Only time will tell – and the clock is ticking….