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, law enforcement officials in the area have reportedly started planning for any possible unrest that may occur once the decision is made public.
Preparations are also being made to handle and control a scenario where even if 29-year-old Wilson is indicted, protestors and demonstrators follow through with violent riots in the streets of Ferguson, TheBlaze reported.
A supposed police officer in the Ferguson area spoke to "St. Louis Coptalk" forum about what he expects to happen in Ferguson in the coming weeks, urging community members to "protect" their families with firearms, Vocativ reported, adding that the man's identity as a police officer could not be independently confirmed.
"If you do not have a gun, get one and get one soon. We will not be able to protect you or your family," the man, who posted under the name "A Concerned Cop," wrote. "It will be your responsibility to protect them. Our gutless commanders and politicians have neutered us. I'm serious, get a gun, get more than one, and keep one with you at all times."
This warning comes after the FBI recently issued an intelligence bulletin stating that a grand jury's decision "will likely be exploited by some individuals to justify threats and attacks against law enforcement and critical infrastructure."
"This also poses a threat to those civilians engaged in lawful or otherwise constitutionally protected activities," the bulletin said.
Along with the police officer, many forum members expressed similar fears, claiming that violence will plague the streets of Ferguson regardless of the decision made in the Aug. 9 shooting death of the 18-year-old Brown, according to CBS News.
While some called out local businesses for displaying public support for activists in the area, others labeled protesters in Ferguson as "terrorists."
"I say if the protesters want to use shields and like equipment then the officers should incorporate using the fire dept. and there (sic) hoses... With the wind and temps what a great way to put a sudden stop to marches and protests," a member, under the name "Retiree," posted.
On Monday afternoon, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and authorized the state's National Guard to support police in case of violence.
The order, in effect for 30 days, instructs the St. Louis County Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the St. Louis Metro Police to work together in policing violent protests that might erupt after a decision is announced.
Meanwhile, schools, businesses and law enforcement are also preparing safety procedures ahead of another round of unrest, possibly worse than in August, when weeks of protests followed the shooting of Brown, BBC News reported.
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.
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.
