What would it take for you to call the police?

For many party-going college students, contacting law enforcement officials is never an option. In the eyes of the Responsible Raiders, communicating with police officers is vital for the safety of the Shippensburg community.

Shippensburg University students decided to take action after attending a township meeting that was held to address problems associated with partying in Shippensburg. SU students collaborated with Dr. Ann Wendle, director of SU’s Connection Program and Drug and Alcohol Services, to form the Responsible Raiders.

The organization, which seeks to reduce party-related dangers among SU students and Shippensburg residents, frequently meets with local officials to discuss safety issues. In doing so, local authorities and SU students are building a more trusting relationship.

“We’re another medium between student and law enforcement,” said Alex Cooper, president of the Responsible Raiders. “It’s to show the community that we care.”

Members of the Responsible Raiders hope that by establishing a relationship between local authorities and SU students, partygoers will be more willing to contact law enforcement officials when potential threats arise.

However, members of the organization believe that further preventative measures are necessary. For Cooper, those measures start with education.

“We want to get to incoming freshmen and educate them so they don’t get to the point where they’re out of control,” Cooper said. Educating students on the dangers associated with partying is a crucial component of establishing and sustaining a safer party scene, according to Cooper.

While the Responsible Raiders initially focused on reducing the dangers associated with partying, the organization has recently broadened its scope.

Because of the damages, noise and pollution created by partygoers, the Responsible Raiders are concerned with the relationship between SU and local residents.

“There’s a problem with the relationship between the students and the rest of the community,” Cooper said. “We’re trying to improve that.”

Wendle, who serves as an adviser to the Responsible Raiders, said the actions of the Responsible Raiders are completed solely by group members.

“My job is to help them get in contact with the necessary officials and provide them with administrative support. They do most of the execution on their own,” Wendle said.

SU’s Student Senate officially recognized Responsible Raiders as a student organization in November. Despite being officially recognized, the organization has not yet applied for funding through the university.

Responsible Raiders currently has approximately 30 active members. Members of the organization meet every Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main.  

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