In response to the recent March 22 attacks in London, The Los Angeles Times reported four were killed when the attacker drove through pedestrians and stabbed a police officer.

Attacks like this one have happened through various places in the world, some more extreme than others. In the past few years, Paris has fallen under attack as well as the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

The fear becomes reality if something like that could happen on our campus—hundreds of people were killed as a result of these mass displays of viciousness

Shippensburg University comes equipped with its own police station with police officers that patrol campus around the clock. SU also has emergency poles scattered throughout campus to ensure a means of safety to those walking alone at night. Although we have to wonder if our campus fell under attack from a violent intruder, what are some measures we, as students, could take to prevent injury to ourselves and others?

Some safety measures we can take can stem from knowing what services are offered on campus during a time of need. As previously stated, SU offers police officers on campus, but to utilize them, students must become familiar with school safety precautions —especially to and from classrooms.

Recently, posters have been put up in buildings and rooms across campus that explain how to combat a violent intruder. Outside, emergency poles are located around the campus that ensure police response within 60 to 90 seconds.

While in classrooms or residence halls, be mindful of the various exits in the building to ensure a safe departure if an intruder had gained access to the building. Once outside, know where to go to get to a safe location and avoid the problem area, which would be a viable option to ensure safety.

Using the buddy system when out late at night is important in ensuring safety. If something would happen, there’s a greater chance you or your buddy would be able to call for help.

Sure, all of this may be common knowledge, but in the heat of the moment, sometimes actions are different than what someone would think they are capable of doing otherwise. Being aware of surroundings is important, because this habit can be utilized in life beyond college or off campus during typical nights of partying.

Violence happens everywhere, and the best thing students can do is be knowledgeable.

Keep an eye out for anything that may seem out of the usual during late nights on campus, walking home from University Grille or Wibs or from the library during finals week.

People say “don’t be a hero,” although it is possible to be a hero with a simple phone call to the Shippensburg Police Department or the SU police.

Shippensburg Police Department can be contacted at (717) 532-7361 and SU police, (717) 477-1444.

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