I am part of the MSU community. I graduated from MSU, and I've chosen to make my home, raise my children and have my career here in East Lansing.

Whether you are a current MSU student, an MSU graduate or an employee of the university, we all share in the same reputation - the reputation of MSU.

Riots of the past have damaged our reputation. A good share of this was done by others from outside our community, who have no vested interest in MSU or East Lansing. It has been our job to live with what was left to us, to repair what was damaged and to move on.

On Saturday, we're going to beat the University of Michigan. Those of us with green blood can feel it and smell it.

How we celebrate our football victory will further define our collective reputation. I have a duty to keep my fellow Spartans safe while they are celebrating, and it is a duty that I take very seriously. Being in charge of the day-to-day operation of the East Lansing Police Department, I am an alumnus who is in an excellent position, on the police side of the police line, to ensure Spartan safety when a celebration takes to the streets of the city.

On Saturday, I want to celebrate the success of the Spartan football team. I pledge to do my part to keep the celebrants safe and to do all that I can to ensure that the reputation of our city and our university isn't re-injured. I ask that my fellow Spartans do the same.

If we work together by not allowing outsiders to act out, and by not being in the street as part of a crowd that feeds this type of behavior, we won't have a problem.

Let's not allow those who have nothing to do with our school to define us. Let's celebrate responsibly, be cool and make some great memories this weekend.

We can have a great time and let our actions enhance the image of our university and our city.

Tom Wibert
East Lansing Police Department
deputy chief