Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Metro says it is prepared for Las Vegas response to Ferguson verdict

Metro Police said they are monitoring events in Ferguson, Mo., but have no extensive preparations to deal with possible backlash to a grand jury decision regarding the shooting death of an unarmed teenager.

A grand jury is expected to decide soon whether Officer Darren Wilson, who is white, will face charges in the August shooting death of the black 18-year-old Michael Brown.

The story has become the focus of national debates on race and the use of force by police as witnesses have provided conflicting accounts of what occurred.

According to a statement issued by Metro, officials believe local officers are prepared for the reaction of Las Vegas Valley residents.

"We do not believe that any extraordinary preparations are required at this time," the statement said. "Due to year-round large events such as New Year’s Eve, Electric Daisy Carnival and NASCAR, our officers are always prepared."

Metro said it has interacted with community leaders on the issue and supports the right of residents to gather and speak out on the issue.

Meanwhile, Southern Nevada leaders urged residents Thursday to respond peacefully to the upcoming announcement in Missouri.

"We are not Ferguson," Tiffany Tyler of the nonprofit Nevada Partners said at a news conference where pastors, law enforcement and other community leaders called for restraint and praised work already being done in the Las Vegas area.

Few people expect a violent reaction in Nevada, but leaders said they wanted to be proactive regarding the upcoming decision.

"You never know who is undermining your community," Pastor Ralph E. Williamson of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, said after the news conference.

Williamson said religious leaders would also use the power of their pulpits to reach the community.

Pastor Will Cherry of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church said a violent reaction would not solve anything.

A rally was planned after the decision is made at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the intersection of Martin L. King Boulevard and West Carey Avenue but the location could change, said Las Vegas police Capt. Matt McCarthy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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