College Student Rebecca Payne Found Dead in Mission Hill Apartment

This week, another college student became a victim of violence. Rebecca Payne, a 22-year-old senior Northeastern University athletic training major, was found shot to death yesterday morning inside her Parker Hill Avenue apartment, according to various media reports. After receiving a 911 call from the apartment building manager, officers in Roxbury, Massachusetts, responded shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday morning and found Payne's body lying on the floor with gunshot wounds to the legs and chest.

At this time it is unclear whether robbery was a motive. Neighbors did report hearing gunshots around midnight. However, no one called the police.

Rebecca Payne was president of the Athletic Training Club, a member of the Dean's Council, and a member of several campus religious groups. Well-liked by her professors and beloved by her friends, it is unclear whether the killer may have known her or if the shooting was a random act of violence. Police continue to inspect the apartment and area for clues, including searching for signs of forced entry.

Rebecca Payne's apartment was located one mile from downtown Boston in the Mission Hill area. Mission Hill is a culturally and racially diverse neighborhood of students from nearby colleges, young families, and employees of nearby Longwood Medical Area. Mission Hill was once a depressed and dilapidated area of the city but has been rejuvenated in recent years. While a fun and interesting area, it does attract a wide variety of people.

School and Home Safety for College Students

Rebecca Payne's story is saddening and frightening to college students as well as parents. We don't know the whole story yet but what we do know is that you must be careful. School and home safety is something every college student must consider.

As someone who lived in several off-campus apartments while completing college and grad school, I learned several lessons about keeping safe at home and school. Looking back on my experiences, these are the tips that stand out the most.

Where are You the Safest? On-Campus or Off-Campus?

College campuses and the areas around them attract a lot of interesting people as well as some people we'd rather NEVER run in to. If you are considering making your home off-campus, consider all the pros and cons before you do so. College campuses are not the safest places, but they are usually a little safer than the areas off-campus that most college students can afford. Yes, it may be more fun to live off-campus, but is it more safe?

Think long and hard about the housing you can afford. It should be safe as well as convenient to school. Make school and home safety one of your priorities while you are considering your housing options.

Lock Your Doors And Windows

Wherever you decide to live, make this your number one home safety rule. This is simple, right? But it is amazing how often we forget. Even if you think your roommate is on the way home and will arrive in just a few minutes, don't leave the door unlocked. No exceptions.

Check all windows and doors before leaving your apartment and before going to bed. Make this your home safety habit.

Always make sure you know who is at your door before you open it. Get to know your next door neighbors by name. Be a good neighbor and report any suspicious activity you do see. You'd want them to do the same for you, wouldn't you?

Don't loan a key to your apartment to a "friend of a friend." You know what I mean. Make sure your roommates don't, either. At the very least, clear it with each other, first. Everyone should agree on who has a key to your home.

Know your Roommate

Your roommate doesn't have to be your best friend, but in the interest of safety, try to choose someone who is responsible and someone you've known for awhile. For that matter, make sure you are comfortable with your roommate's friends, too.

I have first-hand experience with this. While in grad school, two other grad students and I shared an apartment off-campus. One summer, one of my roommates took an internship out of town and sublet her room. We knew about it and we agreed on the person who rented the room. However, we didn't ask enough questions, we didn't check references, and basically, we did not know this person. This was, by far, the most uncomfortable, stressful, and scary summer I have ever spent.

Keep Your Keys and Your Cell Phone by Your Side

This is good practice for both school and home safety. Carry them where you can reach them easily as you approach your front door or car. Sleep with them by your bedside. If you hear an intruder you can quickly make a phone call or possibly utilize your car alarm as a deterrent.

Go in Groups

One of the best college safety tips is to always go in a group. Don't walk anywhere by yourself. Late at night it is best to utilize the on-campus escort service program or campus shuttle - ALWAYS. Don't feel stupid doing this. It could save your life.

If you must go by yourself, use your cell phone to let someone know where you are, when you will be back and check in often. Like, every five minutes. But really, a group is so much better.

Use Your Intuition

Above all, trust your instincts. If a person, place, or situation doesn't seem right remove yourself from it immediately.

Sources:
"Student From Conn. Found Shot In Boston," WFSB.com, Harford, Conn.
"Friends Mourn Slain Northeastern Student," BostonHerald.com
Mission Hill, wikipedia.com