Airbnb Bans 'Party Houses' Following Fatal Halloween Shooting

The company's CEO Brian Chesky revealed the news on Twitter.

This illustration picture taken on April 19, 2018
Getty

Image via Getty/LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP

This illustration picture taken on April 19, 2018

Airbnb has announced that the company will ban party houses and crackdown on those who exhibit "abusive host and guest conduct." 

The company's CEO Brian Chesky revealed the news on Twitter. Chesky says that Airbnb will expand its manual screening of "high-risk" reservations, take "immediate action against users who violate these enhanced guest policies," and create a "party house" rapid response team for those who break these rules. 

Starting today, we are banning “party houses” and we are redoubling our efforts to combat unauthorized parties and get rid of abusive host and guest conduct, including conduct that leads to the terrible events we saw in Orinda. Here is what we are doing:

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) November 2, 2019

Second, we are creating a dedicated “party house” rapid response team.

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) November 2, 2019

I have directed Margaret Richardson from our Executive Team to oversee this new team and initiate a 10 day sprint to review and accelerate the development and implementation of these new safety initiatives.

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) November 2, 2019

This move is a response to the shooting that took place in Orinda, California. The incident happened at a Friday Halloween party and left five people dead. According to the Contra Costa Sheriff's office, more than 100 people from the Bay Area converged on the home for the Airbnb gathering.

The customer allegedly told the homeowner, Michael Wang, that they wanted to have a family reunion at the residence. The party violated the renter's policies as Wang specifically banned parties, weapons, and marijuana in his description. 

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