THE LAST WORD 08-18-15

THE LAST WORD

It played out like a horror film: Nineteen-year-old Jacob Lopez was in Madrid and ready to begin his adventure when, he says, his Airbnb host locked him in his room and sexually assaulted him. After receiving his frantic text messages, his mother contacted Airbnb and was told to call Madrid police, but the number she was given led to a recording that disconnected her. The rest of his story, recounted in the New York Times, reminds us that while our bold new sharing economy may offer affordability and efficiency, it may not provide the same level of security (paywall) that might come with more traditional accommodations. Airbnb has since said it will clarify its policies around distress reports, but Lopez's family stressed that young people should always keep in mind a few best practices when traveling: Pass on the host’s address to a family member, confirm international cell service, research the host for red flags and, always ask “Is there a deadbolt that only I can turn?”