Ferguson Mayor Criticizes Slow Guard Response to Fiery Riot

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said the failure of the Missouri National Guard to protect his town from rioting last night was “deeply concerning.”

Knowles said that Guard troops should have been deployed sooner yesterday after prosecutors said they wouldn’t charge Police Officer Darren Wilson in the August death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The announcement sparked clashes with police, looting, the burning of buildings and vehicles, and dozens of arrests.

There will be more troops supporting law enforcement in the St. Louis region tonight, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said in a statement today.

“The violence we saw in areas of Ferguson last night is unacceptable,” the governor said in the statement. “That is why today I am meeting with leaders from the Guard and law enforcement to ensure the protection of lives and property.”

The governor last week activated the National Guard and declared a state of emergency, saying violence wouldn’t be tolerated.

Knowles declined to comment on whether Wilson would continue on the Ferguson police force.