Atlanta Police Car

Police in metro Atlanta are preparing for protests or even unrest as a grand jury in Missouri decides whether to criminally charge a white officer who fatally shot a black man.

DeKalb County officials planned to meet Thursday afternoon to discuss public safety with local police, education officials, students and clergy.

The Aug. 9 shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, sparked weeks of protests and some unrest, including looting and rioting in that state.

In metro Atlanta, protests over the shooting have been peaceful.

However, the region has experienced race riots before. Atlanta police made more than 300 arrests during a riot in 1992 after police officers in Los Angeles were acquitted of beating Rodney King. Dozens of people in Atlanta were hospitalized.

Tags: Atlanta Police, ferguson protests, atlanta police prepare for ferguson protests, awaiting jury decision on ferguson case, Michael Brown, unrest