Someone had broken into the unit when I was not there. My friend and I locked the doors upon leaving for the evening, and when we returned, there was evidence that someone else had been inside the unit while we were not there. This means that someone was able to break in, or they had a copy of the keys.
We left the unit immediately after seeing evidence that someone else had been (or was still) inside. We then flagged down 2 police officers. They were able to escort us into the unit while we gathered our belongings. They said they would wait for us outside; however, they left immediately after.
I relayed all of this information to the host, and they were concerned and apologetic. Because my friend and I could not stay there for because we believed it was unsafe, I requested a refund for the remainder of our trip. The host refused saying that we did not have a police report or evidence. We were not able to obtain a police report as they had left us as we were gathering our things. The host also said that they had camera footage. If that is true, then they would have seen my friend and I enter the unit, leave immediately, and return shortly after being escorted by NYPD. They should have also seen an unauthorized person enter the unit as well. That should be evidence enough to deem our safety at risk, but apparently that is not the case.
I am sharing this because all of the doors were locked when we left, but someone was still able to get inside. Someone was able to pick the front door or back door lock, or they had a copy of the key.
This was my first Airbnb experience with this type of incident. I understand that things like this happen; however, the lack of resolution from both Airbnb and the host is very disappointing. I would also be wary about staying here, as this is a garden unit.