Since the city of Portland allowed Airbnbs to invade residential neighborhoods, neighbors are fighting neighbors over the growing disruption.

Where once was a quiet street, now there are ill-behaved tourists who party until 3:30 a.m. and pass out in front of neighbors’ houses. They are conducting drug deals in broad daylight. Noise complaints have not stemmed the problem. Angry phone calls to the hosts have not stemmed the problem.

After angry phone calls from neighbors to a host regarding a rowdy, late party, the host told neighbors she was changing her rules: no large groups, only families. After another loud, late, disruptive party, the police were called. The host had no idea that a group of young men were renting her house. She thought it was a mother and her sons. The hosts apparently have no control over who is renting the house.

The city of Portland cannot regulate who is renting these homes. The host is off enjoying a tax-deductible evening elsewhere and the neighbors are left to suffer. The city is raking in the fees from each registered Airbnb and the state is collecting the lodging taxes. The rules cannot be enforced by an absent host, and the city cannot enforce its regulations. The neighbors are left in a very unsafe situation.

London’s transportation regulators have informed Uber that the company will lose its license to operate in that city. They did this because Uber is endangering public safety and security. They consider Uber’s approach and conduct to demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility.

I ask: How is Uber any different from Airbnb? No one is in charge, and the public’s safety and security are at risk.

Ellen Sidar

Portland