FILE: In April 2022, two people died in a shooting following a fight at an Airbnb in Draper. Later, Airbnb announced its temporary ban on disruptive parties and events would be permanent. (Solo Lobo)
DRAPER, Utah — Airbnb announced earlier this week its party ban will become permanent. The home-sharing company announced two years ago a temporary ban on disruptive parties and events worldwide.
The ban came as a result of a California shooting in 2019 at of one its bookings. Five people died in the shooting.
Closer to home, the decision by Airbnb has some people feeling better, but unsure of what will come of the change.
“It’s good that they are making it permanent,” said Draper Mayor Troy Walker to KSL NewsRadio. “But I don’t know what that means.”
In April, two people died in a shooting after a fight had broken out at an Airbnb in the area of 11400 South and 200 East in Draper.
“I applaud Airbnb for coming up with some regulations,” Walker said. “I hope they figure out a good way to police it.”
Walker says his city has been looking into the matter. One of the City Council members came up with an idea. Basically, the city would require those who book an Airbnb to get a permit. If police have to respond to the location, the permit would be taken.
“We’re still trying to figure out what makes sense,” Walker said.
April’s double-homicide isn’t the only incident that has taken place at an Airbnb inside of Draper City limits, according to Walker.
“We’ve had a number of other incidents that involve shootings, actually guns getting shot. So, it’s not the first incident involving a firearm by any stretch.”
In 2021, according to a report by CNBC, more than 6,600 individuals were suspended from Airbnb for breaking its policy on the party ban.
“We need to find a way to control this kind of stuff that’s going on,” the Draper mayor said.
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