VIDEO: Shootings, Arrests and Parties Linked to Airbnb Rentals in Providence
GoLocalProv News Team
VIDEO: Shootings, Arrests and Parties Linked to Airbnb Rentals in Providence
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Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements tells GoLocal, “It is a growing problem. We saw a lot of parties at Airbnbs especially in downtown and on Federal Hill before the pandemic. Now, the East Side is having some incidents.”
According to police, a shooting occurred on 5th Street in the Summit section of the East Side last year tied to the rental of an Airbnb.
It is an area dominated by young families near Miriam Hospital.
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The shooting victim initially went to Miriam Hospital and was later transferred to Rhode Island Hospital.
The shooter fled the scene. Police later obtained footage of the incident.
George Street Arrest
Last weekend, GoLocal reported a party on Providence's East Side on Friday night ended in the tasering of an individual well-known to police, who they say is a gang member.
The party was being held at another Airbnb rental.
According to Providence police, authorities were informed that Reynolds Youboty, a known member of the “Bucket West” gang, was attending the party, while in possession of a semi-automatic firearm.
Investigators in the Violent Crimes Task Force had been conducting a months-long firearms investigation related to Youboty
The Airbnb party was held at 19 George Street, a house built in 1880 that is now comprised of four condo units. The assessed value by the city of the units is over $1.1 million.
George Street is one of the most exclusive East Side locations. Airbnb shows one rental at the location, with a cost per night ranging between $89 and $210.
Shortly after 11 PM on Friday, police pulled onto George Street from Benefit Street and observed Youboty standing in the street.
Police exited the vehicle and attempted to detain Youboty as he was walking towards the sidewalk. Police gave loud verbal commands for Youboty to place his hands behind his back.
Youboty “ignored police commands as he tensed both of his arms and attempted to turn his body towards police,” according to the police report.
Investigators said they then wrestled Youboty to the ground at which point he "began to once again reach towards and grip the object on his right side." Police grabbed hold of Youboty's right hand and immediately recognized the item he was gripping was a firearm.
Police reported that Youboty began to tug at the firearm attempting to pull it out of his pocket, with police able to grab the slide of the firearm in an attempt to hold it in place to prevent Youboty from removing it. Youboty "continuously fought his way up to his feet and was wrestled back down to the ground by these investigators multiple times," according to police.
During the ongoing struggle, police reported that there was a “large and contentious crowd” of approximately 8-10 subjects that were with Youboty and surrounded police who were "screaming at police and cheering Youboty on as he continued to fight with these investigators."
Several additional units arrived on scene to assist. Police reports show that Patrolman Perez deployed his department-issued taser to Youboty's back causing both of his arms to free up.
According to Providence Police were then able to remove the firearm from Youboty's pocket and render it safe. The firearm was found to contain 9 live cartridges in the magazine and 1 in the chamber. Police then were able to successfully place Youboty into handcuffs.
An Airbnb spokesman confirmed on background to GoLocal that the George Street incident was an "unauthorized party," and that Airbnb determined the host did not consent to it.
Airbnb did remove the booking guest from their community, the spokesperson told GoLocal.
Airbnb’s policies allow rentals for up to 16 people and those limiting policies were implemented in response to the pandemic.
“On August 20, 2020, Airbnb announced a global ban on all parties and events at Airbnb listings, including a cap on occupancy at 16. This party ban applies to all future bookings on Airbnb, and it will remain in effect indefinitely, until further notice,” according to Airbnb.
Airbnb's policies on background checks are limited.
"Although background checks may help identify past criminal conduct where records are available, background checks don’t always identify a person’s past crimes or other red flags, they are never a guarantee that a person won’t break the law in the future. Due to the way certain databases are maintained, there may be gaps in the coverage provided by public records searches, and the online databases may be only updated periodically by local governments which we do not control or direct. Results of these database checks may not reveal or include recent criminal record activity," said the company.
Clements said,"People come to Providence, rent a place on Airbnb and it is cheap and there are very few limits. It is a growing concern."