WATCH: Over 160 Rioters Arrested In St. Louis, Chief Says, ‘Police Own The Night’

Chief O’Toole: “The police own the night.”

Police Own The Night

St. Louis, MO – As of Monday evening, more than 160 rioters have been arrested by St. Louis law enforcement since the Jason Stockley verdict, according to ABC News.

“I’m proud to tell you that the city of St. Louis is safe, and the police own the night,” Chief Larry O’Toole said at a press conference Monday. “Our officers are doing outstanding work. Once again, a group of criminals set out to break windows and destroy property. Tonight, those criminals are in jail.”

The riots started as former-officer Jason Stockley was acquitted in the 2011 officer-involved shooting and death of Anthony Lamar Smith on Friday, September 15, according to Fox News.  The violent rioting has continued since then and eleven police officers were injured on Friday alone.

In response, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens said, “We had leaders who wanted to give people a safe space to loot and to burn. Now in Missouri if you loot the only safe space you’re going to have is in a jail cell.”

He said, “If you’re going to riot we’re going to cuff you.  Violence and vandalism is not protest. It is a crime.”

Law enforcement in the area has been following through, aggressively cracking down on violent criminals and people who seek to destroy property and claim that it’s a legitimate form of protest.

While there has been rioting each night, rioters have been unable to get much of a foothold before police swoop in and start hauling people off to jail.

The arrests have resulted in people protesting outside of the St. Louis jail on Monday, begging for bail money for those arrested.

You can see the video of Chief O’Toole speaking at the press conference below: