Antonio French: “It is hard to keep people calm when officials use phrases like state of emergency.”

I think the present situation is a consequence of how the Ferguson police department handled it in the first place.

I am in favor of community policing. I think what we have now is something that looks more like an occupying force.

If we let these neighborhoods fade into history, we aren’t just losing homes. We’re losing people, culture, community and a vital part of this city’s soul.

My message when I was out there at the crime scene tonight was that St. Louis City is not Ferguson, OK? We handle things better in St. Louis City.