# Race riots in Missouri? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 17, 2014, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736 "2014-08-17T02:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/1 "2014-08-17T02:56:31Z")
I’m on the road and I keep hearing something about race riots in Missouri. Have I got that right? Can the Dopers fill me in on what’s happening? Factual replies only, please. I know I could goggle, but you guys are better than a lot of msm for news break-downs. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/2 "2014-08-17T03:44:27Z")
We have a thread of almost 1,000 posts: > **[Ferguson, MO](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=730860)** > > Man oh man, I just don’t know what to say. This shit has me more internally divided than I could have imagined. I’m not even sure who I’m pitting. There is no question that some members of the community acted like asses last night, but having been... For a summary just read Wikipedia: > **[Killing of Michael Brown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Michael_Brown)** > > On August 9, 2014, 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. > Brown was accompanied by his 22-year-old male friend Dorian Johnson, who later stated that Brown had robbed a convenience store before the shooting occurred. Wilson, a white male Ferguson police officer, said that an altercation ensued when Brown attacked him in his police vehicle for control of Wilson's service pistol. The struggle continued until t... ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/3 "2014-08-17T03:49:05Z")
Of all the luck. We’re going down to St. Louis over Labor Day weekend to hang out, eat, party. We haven’t cancelled yet. I’m hoping all this settles down by then. But if it doesn’t, is any of it spilling over into St. Louie proper? Our hotel is right by the airport, and most of the places we planned on going are downtown. Has there been any reports of anything related to the Ferguson mess going on in those areas? ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/4 "2014-08-17T04:06:40Z")
The whole damn thing is only a couple of blocks long on one street. You’ve got a better chance of getting hit by a St. Louis Cardinals batting practice pitch than a molotov cocktail or a tear gas canister, and the Cardinals are in San Diego that weekend. Is this a serious question? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/5 "2014-08-17T04:55:34Z")
I’ve merged two threads on the same topic. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/6 "2014-08-17T14:47:37Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Of all the luck. We’re going down to St. Louis over Labor Day weekend to hang out, eat, party. We haven’t cancelled yet. > > I’m hoping all this settles down by then. But if it doesn’t, is any of it spilling over into St. Louie proper? Our hotel is right by the airport, and most of the places we planned on going are downtown. Has there been any reports of anything related to the Ferguson mess going on in those areas? No. All in Florisant. Should be okay, barring a major escalation of activity between now and Labor Day. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/7 "2014-08-17T15:15:52Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > The whole damn thing is only a couple of blocks long on one street. > > You’ve got a better chance of getting hit by a St. Louis Cardinals batting practice pitch than a molotov cocktail or a tear gas canister, and the Cardinals are in San Diego that weekend. > > Is this a serious question? Apparently, for some people it is. My child’s mother messaged me last night asking what my plans were…I was like “For what?” Apparently she’s worried about riots. Hadn’t crossed my mind. I should point out that I live in the middle of an upper-middle class, predominately white county, and she lives 10 miles from the nearest black neighborhood. I think we’re safe, even if every black person in the area decides to riot. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/8 "2014-08-17T16:24:06Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > The whole damn thing is only a couple of blocks long on one street. > > You’ve got a better chance of getting hit by a St. Louis Cardinals batting practice pitch than a molotov cocktail or a tear gas canister, and the Cardinals are in San Diego that weekend. > > Is this a serious question? Cut me some slack. I’m in Milwaukee. HTF would I know where it’s all going on down there right now? The news doesn’t have a map of the area of trouble. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/9 "2014-08-17T18:05:43Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Cut me some slack. I’m in Milwaukee. HTF would I know where it’s all going on down there right now? The news doesn’t have a map of the area of trouble. Take a look at [this](http://www.yourstlhome.com/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1497392&NF=1). The tensions all seem to be taking place within one part of #31 (Ferguson), and while the sentiments behind them probably are felt throughout the area, the violence itself is focused on the police in Ferguson. ---
**Author:** ![therealyankey27](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@therealyankey27](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/therealyankey27)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/10 "2014-08-17T18:15:51Z")
Hmm, I predicted riots would happen when this started, but that’s more of “history tends to repeat itself” than my somehow accurate predictions. Wait, I have family in St. Louis, I could ask them how it’s going in surrounding areas. Anyways I hope the riots don’t spread (doubt they will) but if they do then looting insues ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/11 "2014-08-17T18:55:29Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Cut me some slack. I’m in Milwaukee. HTF would I know where it’s all going on down there right now? The news doesn’t have a map of the area of trouble. You’re a lot closer than I am yet my news has all the up to date information. I think I’m going to start using the “Hey, I’m from Milwaukee” line in the future. “Are you painting your house with lead-based paint? Are you crazy?” “Hey, I’m from Milwaukee.” “Honestly, Sir, I don’t have any bombs in my carry-on bags. Hey, why are you arresting me!? I’m from Milwaukee!” “I’ve got a barn full of AMC Pacers and Gremlins waiting to be restored when the market goes crazy for them. They were made in Milwaukee, you know? Where I’m from.” ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/12 "2014-08-17T19:06:36Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > I think I’m going to start using the “Hey, I’m from Milwaukee” line in the future. It would explain why you’re acting like your drunk! :rolleyes: My point was, I’m 375 miles away and the news most certainly has not mentioned whether there are tensions in the rest of the STL metro area. I was just wondering if anyone from St. Louis could give some perspective on what’s going on in the area without being a dick about it. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/13 "2014-08-17T19:14:55Z")
Pretty much confined to Ferguson, yes. There was apparently talk last night of moving to Dellwood when the Ferguson curfew took effect, but that doesn’t seem to have really happened. There was a rally in downtown St. Louis on Thursday, but it was completely peaceful. I will say that it’s not really race riots. While predominantly black, the protesters are multi-racial. And there aren’t really riots; it’s protests with a bunch of opportunistic looting. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/14 "2014-08-17T19:19:13Z")
Last post here then, but don’t you think that if the 19th largest Metropolitan area in the US was in danger of outbreaks of rioting, you might have heard a mention of it in the media? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/15 "2014-08-17T20:33:43Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Last post here then, but don’t you think that if the 19th largest Metropolitan area in the US was in danger of outbreaks of rioting, you might have heard a mention of it in the media? I don’t trust info from the media any more than from someone on these boards who doesn’t live there. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/16 "2014-08-17T22:24:06Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I don’t trust info from the media any more than from someone on these boards who doesn’t live there. Okay, I do live there, and here’s what’s happening. There are constant protests on West Florissant Road (near the shooting) and some on Florissant Road (where City Hall and the police are located.) Those protests are loud, but peaceful. Sometime around midnight, the genuine protesters go home and people who are looking for trouble show up. That’s mostly combined to West Florissant, although it’s spilled over to some nearby streets. There have been demonstrations in some other parts of town, but they’ve been completely law-abiding. If you come to anywhere in St. Louis outside of Ferguson, you’ll find it pretty much the way it always is. If you’re in Ferguson between dawn and mdnight, you’ll find some traffic problems, but you’ll be safe. If you’re in Ferguson after midnight, the police are enforcing a curfew and you’re on your own. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/17 "2014-08-17T22:31:35Z")
St Louis regularly made the list of ten most dangerous cities for many years. It ranked #3 just last year. They’ve been working hard to turn that around with extra policing. Which may have contributed to tensions in Ferguson even before last weeks shooting. [http://explorestlouis.com/media-page/news-releases-newsroom/releases/the-truth-about-crime-in-st-louis/](http://explorestlouis.com/media-page/news-releases-newsroom/releases/the-truth-about-crime-in-st-louis/) [http://lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/crime/10-dangerous-large/](http://lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/crime/10-dangerous-large/) > [@](#): > > – Thanks to increased joint efforts by local law enforcement and “hot spot” policing, crime in St. Louis City continues to decrease and has actually dropped by 46 percent since 2006 according to the St. Louis Metro Police Department.That’s one of the main messages of “The Truth About Crime in St. Louis,” a new video released by four regional civic organizations which also calls out misleading crime rankings. The annual rankings usually place St. Louis among the most dangerous cities in the country. > > “St. Louis is a safe and secure community and this video sets the record straight,” said Kim Tucci, Chairman of the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation. “We encourage all > St. Louisans to watch this video then take it viral so everyone can learn the truth.” > [@](#): > > 1. St. Louis, Mo. > > Although St. Louis moved down in the rankings from its number two spot last year, it has consistently been ranked as one of the most dangerous cities over the past seven years. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/18 "2014-08-17T23:00:08Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > St Louis regularly made the list of ten most dangerous cities for many years. It ranked #3 just last year. They’ve been working hard to turn that around with extra policing. Which may have contributed to tensions in Ferguson even before last weeks shooting. > > [http://explorestlouis.com/media-page/news-releases-newsroom/releases/the-truth-about-crime-in-st-louis/](http://explorestlouis.com/media-page/news-releases-newsroom/releases/the-truth-about-crime-in-st-louis/) > > [http://lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/crime/10-dangerous-large/](http://lawstreetmedia.com/blogs/crime/10-dangerous-large/) Something needs to be said right away. FERGUSON IS NOT ST. LOUIS. Ferguson is a suburb of St. Louis. It was founded in 1855. Feguson is located in St. Louis County. Ferguson has a population of 21,000 and has its own police department. The closet part of Ferguson is about one mile from St. Louis The City of St. Louis is an “independent city.” It is not part of St. Louis County. It has its own police department and keeps its own crime statistics. It’s confusing to outsiders, but it’s roughly similar to calling Jersey City “New York” or Orange County “Los Angeles.” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/19 "2014-08-17T23:33:44Z")
The OP asked about St Louis. It is a city that visitors need to exercise caution when visiting. Memphis has a similar reputation and I’ve visited it many times. Had a lot of fun and heard some great music on Beale Street. The cops maintain a presence there. Other areas of Memphis aren’t for visitors. I’d expect to see more cops around the hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions in St Louis. The city wants to attract visitors and I wouldn’t be concerned visiting. Exercise caution and common sense and have fun. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736/20 "2014-08-18T00:26:40Z")
[quote=“kunilou, post:16, topic:695736”] Okay, I do live there, and here’s what’s happening. If you come to anywhere in St. Louis outside of Ferguson, you’ll find it pretty much the way it always is.QUOTE] Thank you. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-riots-in-missouri/695736.md?page=2)