Missouri state troopers took over security on Thursday in Ferguson, Missouri, where protests bordering on riots have been taking place after a police officer killed an unarmed black teenager in the town outside of St. Louis.

The decision to remove local police and put the state troopers in charge was made in hopes of reducing tension stirred up in a town with historic racial issues, according to ABC News.

Not only have the troopers taken over security, but Capt. Ron Johnson, commander of the troopers in Ferguson, was at the front of the marches on Tuesday. This represents a huge change in relations, as previous nights have seen tear gas and rubber bullets used to control the crowd.

Prior to the change in security in Ferguson, President Barack Obama, as well as state and local leaders had called for different measures to deal with the crowds. At a news conference, Obama called for an easing of tensions between protesters and police.

"I know that emotions are raw right now in Ferguson," Obama said. "There is never excuse for violence against the police or for those who would use this tragedy as a cover for vandalism or looting. There is also no excuse for police to use excessive force against peaceful protests or to throw protesters in jail for lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights."

The Ferguson protests were ignited by the Saturday killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was unarmed at the time he was shot by police. On Friday, Ferguson police identified Darren Wilson as the officer who shot Brown, The New York Times reported.

Police said Brown stole a package of Swisher Sweet cigars from a convenience store and then assaulted the clerk when he was accosted for the alleged larceny. The clerk then called police, who intercepted Brown as he was walking home from the store.

That interaction turned deadly when Wilson shot Brown after an altercation started. The protests in Ferguson have been raging every night since.