FERGUSON, Mo.—The run of good luck at Alliance Credit Union here—keeping its office out of harm’s way—has continued through the latest round of civil unrest in this city.
Nighttime violence began again here after demonstrations marking the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown took place Sunday. At least three people were shot Sunday night and more than 20 people were arrested. St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger declared a state of emergency early Monday. Reports indicate that quiet returned to the streets here on Tuesday
Brown, who was black, was 18 years old when he was fatally shot by a white police officer following a confrontation on a Ferguson street on Aug. 9, 2014. Brown's death set off a wave of sometimes violent protests, although a grand jury and a Justice Department probe both found that former officer Darren Wilson used justifiable force in the shooting. Wilson’s pursuit of Brown began close to the Alliance office here.
“All is well at the branch,” said Alliance Human Resource Director Frank Evans Tuesday. “And the employees haven’t expressed any worries. Most of our people in Ferguson think this will pass fairly quickly, but I’m a little concerned about the number of people or organizations that seem to be going out of their way to antagonize the community. For example, the Columbia Police Officers Association put together a Facebook page declaring Sunday ‘Darren Wilson Day.’ Stuff like that doesn’t help.”
Since the start of the violence, Alliance has responded to the community’s needs, offering a 0% loan for local businesses to help business owners rebuild or manage their way through the crisis.
Evans has said that that kind of partnership with local residents, as well as the CU’s standing in the community and recognition for the role it plays in helping this low-income neighborhood, has helped to keep the branch safe throughout the turmoil.