ST. LOUIS- Airbnb, the online booking site for vacation and rental properties, said Monday that it would make policy changes that officials in St. Louis hope will crack down on so-called “pop-up parties” which have led to problems downtown.
The company said it would:
Ban parties at its listings
Ban users trying to book properties for what it called “the wrong reasons”.
Guests without a history of “positive reviews” would not be able to book last minute reservations.
Ban homes where are known to be happening
Airbnb is also working with Vrbo, another booking site to share information on properties that may have been banned on one site because of policy violations but not others.
City officials say the Ely Walker Lofts, located on Washington Avenue, have been the site of several problem “pop-up parties”, most recently late last month. The parties have diverted police resources from other public safety needs in the area.
“We had a big weekend Downtown full of events, and zero incidents of violent crime to report. Washington Avenue hosted the first ‘City Social’ block party, and Cardinals games and a concert helped keep Downtown active,” said St. Louis Metropolitan Police Maj. Renee Kriesmann in a statement released by the Downtown Engagement & Public Safety Iniative “The City is ready to work with private and public sector partners to help keep Downtown safe and address nuisances like unauthorized parties at short-term rental properties.”
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