'Change in tone … is stunning': Police presence much lighter in Ferguson, Mo., Thursday evening

Brett T. | 7:33 PM on August 14, 2014

As CNN’s Jake Tapper reports, crowd control in Ferguson, Mo., has been handed over to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Capt. Ron Johnson of MO State Highway Patrol is now in charge of security in #Ferguson. http://t.co/2tGSKBKudJ

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 14, 2014

As Ferguson is bracing for a potential fifth night of violent protests over the police shooting of unarmed black 18-year-old Michael Brown, the Missouri governor announced that the Missouri State Highway Patrol will take control of security in the St. Louis suburb.

In a press conference, Governor Jay Nixon announced that Ferguson County Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department would no longer be in charge.

In charge: Capt. Ron Johnson.

Here is your new police leader, MHP Capt. Johnson, who was hugging and shaking hands with protesters as they passed. pic.twitter.com/PyaDkLleI9

— Matt Pearce ? (@mattdpearce) August 14, 2014

There's a new sheriff in town. pic.twitter.com/nDy81apYuN

— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 14, 2014

Leadership matters. Missouri Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson's impact already being felt. pic.twitter.com/nDy81apYuN pic.twitter.com/xUoT0WWGrd

— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 14, 2014

Ron Johnson just now to the crowd – "you can stay all night, yell, shout, whatever. We just need you out of the sidewalk."

— Rachel Lippmann (@rlippmann) August 14, 2014

Commander Johnson marching with protestors. Crowd likes this guy.

— Bill Powell (@WPowell19) August 14, 2014

#Ferguson missing from today's protests, police officers, I don't see a uniform officer or police cruiser any where. pic.twitter.com/uVRmXexMn6

— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 14, 2014