With a grand jury expected to announce this month whether or not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown, the community of Ferguson has already started planning for any possible unrest that may occur once the decision is publicly made.
Mainly, schools, businesses and law enforcement are preparing safety procedures ahead of another round of unrest, possibly worse than in August, when weeks of protests followed the shooting of 18-year-old Brown, BBC News reported.
"In light of the impending grand jury decision, Pattonville will continue to be a source of stability and support for our students. School will continue as normal," said a letter sent out to parents by Pattonville School District on Thursday.
Currently the grand jury, which meets only once a week on Wednesdays, is still hearing evidence, a spokesperson for St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch's office told News 4 on Thursday.
Although many have requested for an advance notice about the grand jury announcement, officials have stated that no such notice will be provided ahead of its time, KMOV.com reported.
"You want advance notice so you can make decisions on if the children are going to go to school and if there needs to be any precautions taken," explained Dontrell Thomas, a parent in the Ferguson-Florissant School District.
Officials said rumors circling on social media that a decision will come this upcoming weekend are simply not true, with McCulloch's office reiterating that a decision is expected in mid-November at the earliest.
Additionally, a letter sent to parents by University City School District said the decision "is expected to be announced in the next week or so."
Whenever it may be, the schools are hoping that the announcement will be made after school hours, with the Ferguson-Florissant District even sending a request letter to McCulloch's office, according to The Washington Times.
"I think it should be after school, when the children are at home," said Thomas.
But a spokesperson stated that a decision has not been made on what time or what day the announcement will be revealed.
"To be honest I'm looking forward to hearing something, it's been a long time going, we hope that justice prevails and that we get a just outcome," said Thomas.
Meanwhile, St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson also issued a message to the public Thursday on his website.
"The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office confirmed that a grand jury continues to hear evidence and that they expect a decision on charges for Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson soon. Although I can't predict the outcome of the process or what may occur as a result of the decision, as the City's Chief of Police, I can reassure you of the Metropolitan Police Department's commitment to your safety and your rights. No matter what the announcement is, the department's first priority is to protect and serve our citizens...and that includes protesters. And we are ready to do so."
It was announced two days ago that Brown's parents have decided to travel halfway across the world to speak at a United Nations conference in Geneva, Switzerland, next week in order to seek justice against Ferguson police and demand the immediate arrest of Officer Darren Wilson, the Associated Press reported.
