Strength of 1109 officers. When you factor in disabilities and military leave, the department is roughly 200 officers below that, and its expecting to lose well over 100 sworn officers this year from resignations and retirements. It means less officers on the street, more overtime for officers, higher response times, higher crime rates. Reporter the outlook of catching up is not good. A new Police Academy class starting tomorrow has a capacity of 60. The city made 29 job offers but five took jobs elsewhere and one was a noshow. That will mean the class will have 23 recruits, plus one who was previously hired. Residents of West San Jose tell us they dont see many officers on patrol, and they already know the consequences of short staffing. We are having breakins, you know, a good amount this past summer. Which never happened. I have been living there for 16 years and i hear if you were to call 911 and ask for police, it would take 20, 30 minutes for them to get out. Reporter the issue o
Reena ninan. Im t. J. Holmes. We begin with violence erupting overnight on the streets of ferguson and other american cities. Grand jury finding not enough evidence to charge Darren Wilson, the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown. The situation getting more violent as the night went on. Within hours of the decision, protesters set squad cars on fire, burned and looted stores. And police fired tear gas to gain control. We have Live Team Coverage this morning. Elizabeth herr is standing by in new york with reaction and protests around the country. But we begin with Karen Travers in ferguson. Reporter violence erupting overnight in ferguson. A dramatic scene far worse than immediately after the shooting death of Michael Brown in august. Gunshots reported just steps from the Police Station here. Police cars set on fire. Tear gas launched into the angry crowd. When i look at our community, its torn apart. Reporter before the st. Louis county prosecutors announcement about the grand ju
Will serve as safe havens, offering food, shelter and medical care. Abc 7 News Reporter Marcy Gonzalez is in ferguson with the latest on preparations for this grand jury decision. Reporter a decision finally reached by the grand jury on whether or not to charge officer Darren Wilson for killing unarmed teenager Michael Brown. People here in ferguson, missouri now anxiously awaiting the announcement after days of buildup and anticipation. Last night, about 150 protesters closed down streets in st. Louis. Any time you have a Mass Movement of people of color like myself and you have Law Enforcement, it usually doesnt turn out too good. Reporter last night, it did. The demonstration was peaceful. Over the weekend, though, there were several arrests outside of Ferguson Police headquarters. And some Law Enforcement officials worry this was just a preview of the unrest yet to come. Police have been preparing, putting up barricades, planning to put 1,000 officers on the ground once the decisio
Night on the streets, though. Abc News Reporter Marcy Gonzalez with more from ferguson, missouri. Reporter today, more protests. Demonstrators trying to charge into st. Louis city hall. Police arresting at least three people. This crowd is a little edgy. Thats fine. They are right to be. But its also the Police Officers, its our Police Departments responsibility to keep everybody safe. Reporter across the country the anger over a grand jurys decision not to indict officer Darren Wilson for killing Michael Brown is loud and clear. In an exclusive interview with abcs george stephanopoulos, wilson defended his actions. I just did my job. I followed my training. Reporter and shared his message for Michael Browns parents. Im sorry that their son lost his life. It wasnt the intention of that day. So yes, there is remorse. Reporter browns mother called wilsons explanation of the shooting insulting and disrespectful. They were taken back looking at the interview because they felt that he had n
Protest is expected there and across the country. Good afternoon. Im larry beil. Im ama daetz. Abc News Reporter Marcy Gonzalez is in ferguson with the latest. Reporter his actions triggered outrage from coast to coast. Today, for the first time, officer Darren Wilson is talking publicly about the day he shot and killed unarmed teenager Michael Brown, telling Abcs George Stephanopoulos in an exclusive interview that while he is sorry, he would not have done anything differently. Wilson remains in hiding, where yesterday he learned a grand jury decided not to indict him. The announcement sparked violent protests in and around ferguson, missouri. Mass demonstrators burned businesses to the ground. They threw rocks and bottles at police. Officers responded with tear gas. Today, disgust and disbelief as the Community Comes together to patch up some of the destruction. Im not angry. Im disappointed. Im very disappointed. Reporter Michael Browns family through their attorney shared their own