OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – With the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend approaching, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are stepping up enforcement efforts targeting illegal parties at short-term rental homes.
Investigators say they are closely monitoring social media and promotional flyers advertising large gatherings at vacation rental properties, including homes rented through Airbnb.
Maj. Alex Guevara with the sheriff’s office said deputies have recently seen an increase in illegal parties at short-term rentals throughout the county.
“Lately, we’ve been having a lot of issues with the Airbnbs, parties,” Guevara said.
According to Guevara, deputies are actively working to identify party organizers before events begin.
“We are able to identify the promoters and the people that are putting these parties together and then we are trying to take those people and hold them accountable and put them in jail,” Guevara said.
The sheriff’s office says it has also been working directly with Airbnb representatives in recent weeks to quickly shut down unauthorized events.
“We pretty much have them on speed dial and whenever we identify any of this illegal activity or illegal parties, within 30 minutes, we already got the answer that we need and they are being very proactive,” Guevara said.
The renewed enforcement effort comes months after a deadly spring break party at a short-term rental in a gated subdivision along Shanti Drive.
Investigators say 17-year-old Qvarious McCloud was shot and killed during the March gathering.
Authorities say illegal parties often lead to additional criminal activity.
“The problem with these parties is they are bringing in a lot of crime to the area,” Guevara said. “They are bringing drugs, alcohol, firearms and a lot of times juveniles are being victims of these parties.”
Visitors staying in vacation rentals nearby say they support the increased enforcement.
Monta Clayton, who is visiting from Atlanta with his family and staying in an Airbnb in the same subdivision, said he hopes for a peaceful holiday weekend.
“I’d be upset,” Clayton said when asked about the possibility of a party happening nearby. “I don’t want to interrupt my vacation. I took a long time off of work for this, so peace of mind is all I want.”
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about planned illegal house parties to contact deputies.