A violent sidewalk assault outside a short-term rental in Hoboken sparked a SWAT response over fears of a hostage situation, leading to five arrests and a promise from the mayor to crack down on rental properties.
Police responded to the 500 block of Garden Street around 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, after receiving reports of a disturbance, Hoboken police said. Officers found an adult victim of an aggravated assault on the sidewalk, police said…