No matter what verdict the jury reaches in the George Zimmerman trial, there will surely be strong emotions on both sides. 

Law enforcement in the city of Sanford, Seminole County and elsewhere across Florida say they have been preparing for a year to handle whatever happens after the verdict is rad.

As the jury began deliberating Friday, about 50 protesters gathered outside the Seminole County Criminal Justice center, holding signs that read "Guilty" and "Not Guilty" on clashing sides of the case, along with signs demanding "Justice for Trayvon," and even one Zimmerman supporter criticizing witness Rachel Jeantel's testimony with a sign that read, "Creepy ass cracker is racist."

Protesters on either side of the case were surrounded by officers from various agencies, including Sanford Police and the Seminole County Sheriff's Office. Despite some tense moments, there were no reports of any problems Friday.

Sheriff Don Eslinger and Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith held a joint news conference Friday afternoon, asking residents to remain peaceful after the verdict is announced.

The two top cops made their message clear: Don't break the law, and respect whatever decision the jury makes.

"We will not tolerate anyone who uses this verdict as an excuse to violate the law," said Sheriff Eslinger.

The city of Sanford was transformed last year as thousands of protesters marched through the streets.

"They requested that several things take place," Smith said. "They wanted an investigation. They asked for an arrest. They asked for charges to be made. They asked for a trial. Each of those things have taken place."

Smith added Sanford has since been a peaceful location, "and it remains a peaceful location."

Still, security has been increased. Although there have been no protesters outside the Retreat at Twin Lakes subdivision since the trial began, there has been police presence in and around the neighborhood where Trayvon Martin was killed.

As downtown Sanford shows no signs of the tens of thousands of protesters from many months ago, Chief Smith and Sheriff Eslinger said they remain prepared for what may come, with added support from the sheriff's office in Brevard County.

Smith said police have gone door-to-door, talking to people and building better relationships with the community, and he hopes the people of Sanford will accept and respect the decision of the jury, whatever it may be.

"There is no party in this case who wants to see any violence," Sheriff Eslinger said. "We have an expectation upon this announcement that our community will continue to act peacefully."

But some believe it's wrong to imply there will be any violence. 

Connie Solomon traveled from New York to get a look at the Zimmerman trial firsthand.

"I can't stop crying when I look at the mother and the father and the pain of their loss," Solomon said.

Dr. Kareem Jordan is a professor at the University of Central Florida, who specializes in race relations. He said to imply any type of violent reaction is wrong.

"I don't think it's going to be that type of reaction where people are going to take to the streets, but I do think people will feel one way or the other," Jordan said. "It implies at least when it comes to African-Americans, it's implies there is some intrinsic propensity to engage in violence."

No matter what the outcome, it's a case that's opened the doors of communication.

Rev. Charlie Holt from St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lake Mary. He is part of a group of pastors who sit on the trial each day and report what happens to their congregations.

"The local law enforcement officials working with the pastors, that kind of conversation wasn't in place before and it's happening now and it's great," Holt said. "It's good for Sanford and it's a direct result of the tragedy of the shooting and the trial."

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said they're ready, but won't discuss any additional resources they're using or details of their plan.

Orange County said they are ready to help if needed in the aftermath of the verdict.

And we've seen police agencies across the state make plans.

In Broward County, the Sheriff's Office even released a Public Service Announcement, encouraging people to raise their voice, not their hands.

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Reaction from local lawmakers

Les Miller Jr., Hillsborough County Commissioner

Miller and other members of the Hillsborough County Black Elected Officials organization spoke Friday afternoon to appeal for the public to remain calm as the jury deliberates and delivers its verdict.

State Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, Florida House District 70:

"The court system should be allowed to function and deliberate on the facts, regardless of the outcome. That doesn't mean that we have to agree or mute our anger at the verdict. But I want to remind citizens of a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

'I feel that violence will only create more social problems than they will solve. That in a real sense it is impractical … to even think of mounting a violent revolution in the United States. So I will continue to condemn riots, and continue to say to my brothers and sisters that this is not the way. And continue to affirm that there is another way.

But at the same time, it is as necessary for me to be as vigorous in condemning the conditions which cause persons to feel that they must engage in riotous activities as it is for me to condemn riots. I think America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard.

And what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight … has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. Social justice and progress are the absolute guarantors of riot prevention.'

As flawed as our system of justice may be as a result of human beings being in control of procedure, it is still the greatest system of justice in the world. We must respect the jury system even if we don't agree with outcomes. I urge restraint and calm response to any verdict rendered by the jury."