Ferguson Mayor: National Guard Deployed Too Late To Save Burning Businesses

The mayor of Ferguson, Missouri said Tuesday that the National Guard was not deployed in time to protect the over one dozen businesses that were looted and burned in riots last night.

Mayor James Knowles said during a press conference Tuesday that the reserve military force was unable to make it to the St. Louis suburb in time to protect the burning businesses that were lit aflame by angry protesters. Firefighters also had slow response times due to ongoing gunshots in the community.

"Unfortunately as the unrest grew and further assistance was needed, the National Guard was not deployed in enough time to save all of our businesses," the mayor said during his press conference.

Police reports indicate over 80 people were arrested in Ferguson and St. Louis on Monday night for crimes such as unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property. Authorities reported hearing over 100 gunshots ring out over the night as they attempted to control the growing crowds protesting the recent grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot teen Michael Brown back in August.

Ahead of the grand jury ruling, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon took several safety precautions to prepare for a wave of protests, including declaring a state of emergency and keeping the National Guard on call for possible civil unrest.

Knowles said at the press conference that there were "many elected officials in the region, both statewide and others who did help us try to reach out to the governor," but ultimately added that "eventually those troops were deployed, unfortunately they were too late."

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said that he will deploy 2,200 National Guard troops ahead of nightfall in Ferguson to help disperse unruly crowds.

"The violence we saw last night cannot be repeated," Nixon said during a press conference, adding "The National Guard presence is to be ramped up significantly."