A race riot could reportedly ensue among the citizens in Ferguson, Missouri, as they await the decision of the St. Louis County grand jury over the death of teenager Michael Brown at the hands of police officer Darren Wilson.

According to a report from Reuters, protests are expected to happen should Wilson escape criminal charges. The Ferguson police officer reportedly shot 18-year-old Brown on August 9.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency in the state and has ordered the National Guard troops to stand by and assist the police in responding to any protests that may develop after the grand jury's decision, which is bound to be released this month, Reuters added.

Nixon's Ferguson Commission "has until September 2015 to make recommendations after reviewing the social and economic conditions" brought upon by Brown's death. According to Reuters, the governor described the commission members as tough, smart, and empowered.

"They are united by the shared passion to promote understanding, to hasten healing, to ensure equal opportunities in education and employment and to safeguard the civil rights of all our citizens," Nixon said in a statement, as quoted by Reuters.

All over Ferguson, signs of an impending riot are springing up. Shopkeepers have been covering their glass windows with plywood. CNN reported that area school superintendents requested city officials and authorities to announce the grand jury's decision "on an evening or weeknight so it doesn't affect about 20,000 students traveling back and forth to schools." Parents have also been notified to fetch their children from school if the decision comes out during the day.

The "Don't Shoot Coalition," a group of community members, also requested to be notified 48 hours before the decision is released to the public. "It also released 19 'Rules of Engagement' that touch on major points of contention between protesters and police," CNN noted.

The police are requested to only wear riot gears as a last resort. But the law enforcers have not agreed to this, and even bought extra pepper balls, smoke grenades, body armor and 2,000 pairs of plastic handcuffs, CBC News wrote.

According to CNN, Brown's death touched a national nerve, "with protests decrying racism and police brutality taking place around the country since his death." Some witnesses stated that the teenager had his hands up and was on his knees, but Wilson still shot him at least six times, CBC News noted.

On the other hand, some of the police officer's supporters claim that "Brown might have attacked Wilson, struggled for his gun and perhaps even charged the officer after the tussle over the weapon," CNN added.