Video: Country Waits to Hear Ferguson Grand Jury Announcement

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GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) — The country waits to hear if a Missouri grand jury will indict Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Since the August shooting in Ferguson, there have been violent clashes between protesters and police.

Nothing like that is expected in the Golden Triangle… However, local law enforcement are taking a proactive approach before a similar situation unfolds in north Mississippi.

Protest scenes are nothing new in Ferguson, Missouri.

Before the grand jury’s verdict is released, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, has declared a state of emergency in case there is violent reaction to the decision.

Locally, no violent protests are expected.

Starkville Police Chief, Frank Nichols, says he hasn’t seen any situation in the area during his 22 years in law enforcement that comes close to the violent clashes in Ferguson.

Nichols believes a transparent and involved police department can prevent situations like what’s happening in the St. Louis suburb.

“If there was something we were doing wrong, I want to be able to fix it before it turns into incidents like what’s going on in Ferguson,” said Chief Nichols.

Recently, Nichols implemented PRIDE.

“Professional, respectful, integrity, dedicated and ethical. It describes the type of officer we need that type of officer in the community,” said Chief Nichols.

It’s also a guideline in gaining and showing respect in the community.

“Getting out into the community, find out how we can better serve them, make a partner in the rendering of police services,” said Chief Nichols.

Longtime minister, Eddie Longstreet, says despite the violent protests Ferguson has seen, unity is key to success.

“Biblically we are taught that unity is what the community should be about. We often find differences in denominational, theological perspectives but as a community, we’re better together than we are separate,” said Pastor Longstreet.

Longstreet also believes people have to find a way to get along, despite their differences.

“Agree to disagree and understand that in light of that, that’s what makes the county as great as it is and this community, that we all have different opinions,” said Pastor Longstreet.

The verdict from the Ferguson grand jury should be coming down any day.