As America holds its breath for tonight's (expected) grand jury verdict over the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown - by police officer Darren Wilson on August 9th - Missouri officials have said they have reached an understanding with protest leaders, as NY Times reports, on the conduct of demonstrations expected after the decision whether to indict Wilson or not comes down. Despite this 'understanding' it is clear that law-enforcement is 'prepared'...

• *ST. LOUIS MAYOR FRANCIS SLAY SPEAKS AT FERGUSON PRESS CONF.
• *SLAY: NEED TO PLAN FOR FERGUSON PROTESTS REGARDLESS OF OUTCOME 
• *SLAY: `IMPRUDENT' NOT TO BE PREPARED FOR `WIDESPREAD UNREST'
• *SLAY: VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
• *ISOM: POLICE DEPT. HAD SENSITIVITY TRAINING OVER PAST 100 DAYS
• *ISOM: OFFICERS TRYING TO WORK ON RESTRAINT, HAVING PATIENCE
• *SLAY: WILL GIVE PROTESTORS CHANCE TO COMPLY BEFORE ARREST
• *SLAY: POLICE WILL RESPOND IF PROTESTORS BECOME AGGRESSIVE

As ABC News reports,

The FBI has sent about 100 agents to the St. Louis area to help deal with any problems that could arise from the grand jury decision in the police shooting of Ferguson teenager Michael Brown.

 

In addition to the FBI, other federal agencies have also mobilized staffers to get to St. Louis today, sources told ABC News.

And this...

As NY Times reports,

“If protesters are nonviolent, police will not be aggressive,” Mr. Slay said. “When demonstrators are being civilly disobedient, they will in most cases be given a chance to adhere to the law before being arrested. And then, if necessary, they will be arrested in a nonviolent manner.