Missouri’s Cost for Ferguson Security Tops $12.5 Million

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The cost of security for protests in Ferguson and the St. Louis area following the fatal shooting of a black 18-year-old by a white police officer is estimated to be more than $12.5 million.

State budget director Linda Luebbering on Wednesday released updated cost estimates for the Missouri National Guard and State Highway Patrol’s work.

Nixon activated the guard and increased the highway patrol’s presence in the St. Louis area ahead of a grand jury’s Nov. 24 decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.

State figures show the guard had $7.1 million in costs, including for salaries, meals, fuel and supplies as of Wednesday.

The patrol had more than $5.3 million in expenses.