Concerns about gangster guests at short-term rentals in B.C. city [Video]

Short-term rental hosts in Prince George, B.C., have been urged to “exercise caution” following reports of gangsters booking stays – and in some cases refusing to vacate the properties.

The Prince George RCMP said there have been several incidents over recent months in which short-term rental hosts have discovered their guests were involved in gang activity.

Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, spokesperson for the detachment, said in some cases the alleged gangsters have stayed past their check-out date, or otherwise broke the terms of the rental agreement, creating tense situations for the hosts involved.

“They do live a violent lifestyle if they’re involved in gang activity,” Cooper said. “So it’s not someone the average citizen is maybe used to dealing with, or has the tools and resources to deal with, and that’s when police have to get involved.”

The warning comes weeks before the B.C. government’s Short-Term Accommodations Act – which creates …