It’s funny how much we trust complete strangers in the small things we do every day. When you walk across the street with the light, you’re essentially trusting all those drivers not to gun the engine and run you over.

You make that assumption because, in general, human beings are moral beings, and therefore blatant acts of brutality, like deliberately running down pedestrians, don’t happen. You trust that most everyone you encounter isn’t going to rob you.

It’s important we remember that now at the beginning of this school year after the tragic murder of Shannon McNamara this summer. It’s important because, as much as we have faith in our fellow men and women, we must also remember that there is a wild card in every deck.

Following McNamara’s death, several people reported seeing alleged murderer Anthony Mertz acting suspiciously in the days and weeks leading up to the crime. His criminal history and erratic behavior should have led somebody to question whether or not Mertz was dangerous.

We’ve all been told if someone talks about suicide, or relates suicidal thoughts or fantasies, we should make sure that person gets immediate help of one sort or another. And now, over the past few years, we’ve been told to keep an eye on troubled high-schoolers who may present a threat to others.

The same principle applies to our campus. We all need to look out for one another.

The point is not to induce paranoia and fear of each other. Rather, it’s to highlight the benevolence and concern each one of us should have for one another.

It’s easy to apply the old cliche “what goes around, comes around.” Most of us would like to know if someone had been seen trying to jimmy open a door with a credit card in our apartment building. Maybe it was just a neighbor who locked himself out, but it’s better to know than not.

But that leaves it up to us to watch out for the next person, as well.

So keep an eye open, Eastern. Our campus is only as safe as we make it.