Emergency funds running out for Ferguson

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced late Friday that he will call a special session of the state General Assembly to provide critical funding for public safety efforts related to protests in the Ferguson and St. Louis regions. 

Nixon said the costs for increased presence of State Highway Patrol and the Missouri National Guard in the area would exceed the state’s budget for emergency duties, and more funding was needed in order to pay the responders on Dec. 15.

The state’s 2015 budget included $4 million for National Guard state emergency duty response costs, and $3.4 million for the State Emergency Management Agency for any emergencies between July 1 and June 30, 2015.

{mosads}“The dedicated men and women of the National Guard and the Missouri State Highway Patrol are playing a critical role in keeping people safe and protecting property in the St. Louis region,” said Nixon in the press release. “Time is of the essence. It is vital that we act quickly so that we can fulfill our obligation to the men and women who are so bravely and capably serving their fellow citizens.”

Nixon made the announcement after a call with state legislative leaders on Friday, and said more details on the session will be announced in coming days. 

Protests reignited after a grand decided against indicting a Ferguson police officer who fatally shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in August. The emergency workers were called in to monitor and safeguard areas in response to the protests. 

 Nixon said debris removal could result in additional costs, and more money was needed in the case of other state emergencies that could arise.