HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) — The city of Hoboken, New Jersey, is moving to tighten oversight of short-term rentals after an assault outside a rental property on Garden Street over the weekend.
Mayor Emily Jabbour said she plans to introduce an ordinance requiring new safety standards and increased accountability for property owners.
A photo taken Sunday morning showed a SWAT response along the 500 block of Garden Street following what authorities described as a situation that sounded like a hostage incident.
“You walk outside and see that, it’s scary,” one neighbor said.
The incident centered on the basement apartment of a multi-unit home that is used as a short-term rental. Neighbors said the most recent group renting the property had been disruptive.
“What I heard, and I don’t know if it’s right… they were going on the roof and running house to house,” a neighbor said.
The situation escalated Sunday morning when a 911 call reported an aggravated assault on the sidewalk in front of the rental unit.
“It’s going to continue to be an active investigation. Yes, there was a gun charge with one of the adults,” Jabbour said.
“Upon arrival, police were dealing with an adult and juvenile,” Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante said.
Authorities said four adults from Indiana were arrested, along with an adult from West New York. A 17-year-old was also arrested. All were charged in connection with the assault.
Neighbors who declined to appear on camera said the Airbnb-listed unit had been a problem location before. Others said renters are generally not an issue.
Jabbour and Ferrante said they want to strengthen restrictions on short-term rentals, including measures that would hold property owners more accountable.
“It basically establishes regulations on how short-term rentals are handled. There are no regulations in Hoboken right now,” Jabbour said.
The proposed ordinance would create regulations governing short-term rentals in Hoboken, according to city officials. No further details about the measure were provided.
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