FERGUSON, Mo.—Frank Evans is hoping the Thanksgiving holiday will lead to a slowdown, and even an eventual end, to the violence in this city.
The human resource director at Alliance Credit Union, which has an office here, told CUToday.info that he hoped the holidays would give protestors time to reflect on the situation in Ferguson and how their actions are having a terrible impact on the community.
“Folks are exhausted from all of the violence,” said Evans, referring to the riots that started in August when Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson, who is white, fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown, who is black. The violence began again Nov. 24, when a St. Louis County grand jury recommended that Wilson not face charges.
“Before the grand jury’s decision, people had just started feeling comfortable again about going about their day-to-day business,” said Evans. “Now here were are again. If you told me in August that we’d still be talking about the crime and violence by Thanksgiving, I would have said you were nuts.”
After three nights of protests that led to more than 140 arrests in Ferguson and St. Louis and at least a dozen burned buildings, Ferguson was calmer during the day Thursday as people stayed home for Thanksgiving.
Evans is concerned for local shopkeepers, especially those who have suffered damage in the summer and then again this week.
In August Alliance CU began offering a 0% loan for local businesses to help them rebuild or manage their way through the crisis. Sixteen shop owners have taken advantage of Alliance’s special 0%, $5,000 maximum loan for up to 24 months. No payment is required for 45 days.
“It’s been a good program, and one that shows how the credit union plays an important role in this community,” said Evans. “This situation may result in a second go-round with our loan for some, and we will be ready to help.”
Alliance CU’s Jennings office has not been harmed—Evans attributing the good fortune to the $214-million CU’s standing in the community and recognition for the role it plays in helping this low-income neighborhood. Alliance CU's Jennings, Mo., office touches the border of Ferguson and the city of Jennings, the point where on Aug. 9 police began their pursuit of Brown.
Alliance CU closed its Jennings office Tuesday and Wednesday out of concern for the safety of employees and members. It reopened today.
Concerns exist in this city that the violence may be the new normal, and Evans is already aware how the turmoil is wearing on the CU’s members and staff.
“Some of our employees (who live in areas where the violence is high) feel safer coming to work than being at home,” said Evans. “I can’t imagine how that feels. That is a terrible situation and we will do all that we can to help our team. In reality, I see all the effects of the violence near our office, but when I go home at night I am 50 miles from Ferguson and the only noise I hear is the barking of our neighbor’s dog.”