DALLAS — Editor's note: This story has been updated to describe the involved home as a short-term rental, not an Airbnb, until more information becomes available. While the home was listed on Airbnb, company officials said the home was not reserved through their website this past weekend.
A West Dallas neighborhood saw pure chaos and total disruption Saturday night as a party at a short-term rental home got out of hand.
“I've seen parties here before, but I've never seen it like this,” said Corey Good. He happened to see the party while visiting the neighborhood.
“Everything completely blocked. There was no way you could just come in and just pull into your driveway,” said Shanell Rusk, a West Dallas resident.
The party happened on Ivanhoe Drive just a few houses away from Rusk. “My house was literally shaking like it was an earthquake or something,” said Rusk.
She and others in the area said parties happen at the home almost every week, but Saturday’s party went too far.
“Terrified. I didn’t know what to do. What is happening at this moment,” asked Rusk.
“I was over at a friend's and basically, I had heard a bunch of cars revving their engines. I didn't think much of it at the time and then I had heard some gunshots,” said Good. “I had noticed that there was street racing over by like behind this house… people were jumping over the fence and just basically taking over the whole block.”
Several witnesses who were on that block Saturday shared videos with WFAA showing police breaking up the party and people jumping fences to get away.
“It literally felt like a bunch of people were getting out of a circus car,” said Good.
The aftermath of broken bottles and trash being dumped onto neighbors’ properties speaks to a larger issue. Last year, Dallas City Council passed an ordinance banning short-term rentals or STRs in single-family zoned areas.
In response, Dallas Short Term Rental Alliance sued the city claiming the regulation was unconstitutional and discriminatory. A Dallas County Judge signed a temporary injunction delaying the city from enforcing the ordinance until June 2024.
WFAA reached out to the city to see if the ordinance is now being enforced. We have not received an answer at this time. WFAA also called and texted the home's owner but received no response.
“I mean, are we safe,” asked Good. “If you're going to have a house party, have it at your own house not somebody else's expense. I don’t think it’s fair for the neighborhood.”
Some residents said they plan to start a petition.
“Look around,” said Rusk. “You could tell the ones that were for-profit and were for family. You can't bring the two together without a conversation.”
Some residents hope a conversation will cripple the chaos and build respect.
