FLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol will take over the supervision of security in the St. Louis suburb that's been the scene of violent protests since a police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager, the governor announced Wednesday.<br />
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Gov. Jay Nixon said security will be overseen by Capt. Ron Johnson of the Highway Patrol. Johnson, who is black, said he grew up in the community and "it means a lot to me personally that we break this cycle of violence."<br />
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"Ferguson will not be defined as a community that was torn apart by violence but will be known as a community that pulled together to overcome it," Nixon said at a news conference.<br />
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Crowds have gathered in Ferguson since Saturday's shooting of Michael Brown to protest the 18-year-old's death.<br />
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Police defended the use of tear gas and smoke bombs to repel demonstrators after another night of chaos. But the police response has drawn heavy criticism.<br />
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Earlier, President Barack Obama appealed for "peace and calm" on the streets.
