Blunt seeks federal help for Ferguson costs

FERGUSON, Mo. -- U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt is asking the Justice Department to help reimburse state and St. Louis-area law enforcement agencies for costs incurred while providing security in Ferguson this month.

Blunt said in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday many of the police agencies do not have the resources to respond to the level of unrest that occurred in the wake of the shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer Aug. 9. Blunt, a Republican, says the unanticipated cost may force many agencies to seek additional resources.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley estimates each night of policing in Ferguson cost the county police department up to $100,000.